Two iconic works by Dan Flavin (American, b. New York, 1933–1996) from the collection of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden will be on view through Nov. 15. “untitled (to Helga and Carlo, with respect and affection)” (1974) and “‘monument’ for V. Tatlin” (1967) are examples of two of the artist’s most renowned series, the “barriers” and the “monuments,” respectively.

A leading figure of Minimal art, Flavin used mass-produced fluorescent light fixtures to make sculptural installations in which light is the primary medium. By blurring the boundary between artwork and environment, he challenged the definition of sculpture as a discrete object.