The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, culminates its 50th anniversary season this year with the opening of Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy, a permanent interpretive exhibition. TheGreenEyl developed three interactive installations for the exhibition. 

As a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Center actively seeks new ways to embody its namesake’s ideals, honor his legacy and celebrate his commitment to the arts. The exhibition establishes an interpretive space at the Center that explores Kennedy’s personal connection with the performing and visual arts and reminds visitors of their importance to a democratic society.

“Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the creative impulse cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it is deprived of spontaneity, then society severs,” wrote President Kennedy.

“Dynamic Portraiture” is inspired by the painting of JFK by Elaine de Kooning. Visitors learn about the origin story and the painter’s process and are invited to create their own self-portrait, based on de Kooning’s palette and painting style. They able to download their own portrait via a QR code and can share it via social media.

“The Power of Words” presents keywords from landmark Kennedy speeches on a mirrored wall. As visitors approach, they come together to form full sentences as an original recording of the speech plays.

"Dinner at the White House” features a series of touchscreen “plates” that represent the prominent cultural figures who attended Kennedy dinners. Commonalities among the guests emerge as graphics link up on the table top, and visitors can create their own guest lists.