Congratulations Liz Schaefer of Washington, DC! Here is her entry:
Welcome to “Beneath the Surface”, the latest exhibit at the Smithsonian institute of the Mind. The human brain has the ability to stretch to make new discoveries and apply different meanings. Here we have a selection of three items demonstrating the different ways that humans are always thinking “beneath the surface.” Let’s enter!
First, you will see a sea creature worn by Madeleine Albright during her time as Secretary of State. Although on the surface, this item appears to be simply decorative, Albright saw her choice of animal as a direct commentary on the situation she was facing. The animals allowed her to state her opinion without causing trouble by keeping the comments below the surface. Do you think she purposely chose animals that lived below the surface as well?
As you continue along the exhibit, the next artifact represents how humans are always looking beyond the obvious to solve new problems. This time, the solution was quite literally beneath the surface! During a time that cross-Atlantic trade was very important to economic success and people were immigrating in large numbers, boats were the only way to cross the Atlantic Ocean. A new idea was discovered and a submarine cable was built to stretch from Europe to North America. The idea quickly failed since thinking beyond the obvious is not always easy or fool-proof. This time it did not work out but don’t worry; When the project failed, the company looked at the useless wire and once again were able to find a creative solution to their new problem- souvenir sales!
Finally, you will see an Edward Hopper painting that asks YOU to look beneath the surface. A closed curtain cuts diagonally across the painting causing the spectator to wonder what is behind it. The couple in the corner whispers to each other as the play is about to start. With the majority of the painting being a closed curtain, Hopper does not use this art to inform the audience, but rather to make the audience wonder, “What is going on beneath the surface?”
