At a celebratory opening ceremony for The Jim Henson Exhibition, housed in a new gallery at Museum of the Moving Image funded by The City of New York, the First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray, the Museum's Executive Director Carl Goodman, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, and City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer were joined by Jim Henson's daughter Cheryl Henson, and special appearances by Abby Cadabby, Red Fraggle, and Fozzie Bear, among other guests. This major new exhibition is dedicated to the life and legacy of Jim Henson, who was a singular creative figure in the realms of television, film, and puppetry-and a New Yorker who made the City his base for family and work. The Jim Henson Exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, July 22.
The
Jim Henson Exhibition features a broad range of artifacts from throughout Henson's remarkable television and film career. It reveals how Henson and his team of builders, performers, and writers brought to life the enduringly popular worlds of The Muppet Show,
Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth. It also includes material from Henson's lesser known and experimental film projects, presenting Henson as a restlessly creative performer, filmmaker, and technical innovator.
Among the more than 300 objects on view in The
Jim Henson Exhibition are 47 puppets including
Kermit the Frog,
Miss Piggy, Rowlf, The Swedish Chef, Statler, Waldorf, Big Bird, Elmo, Cantus Fraggle, a Skeksis, and other popular favorites. Many of the artifacts in the exhibition are drawn from the 2013 donation by
Jim Henson's family to the Museum's collection. The exhibition also includes sketches, storyboards, scripts, and other material on loan from The
Jim Henson Company Archives. Archival video and photographic material was provided by The
Jim Henson Company, Sesame Workshop, and The Muppets Studio.
The
Jim Henson Exhibition is organized by
Barbara Miller, Curator of the Collection and Exhibitions. Wendell Walker is the Director of Production and Design.
The exhibition was organized by Museum of the Moving Image in collaboration with the Henson family, The
Jim Henson Legacy, and The
Jim Henson Company, and in cooperation with Sesame Workshop and The Muppets Studio. The Museum collaborated with COLLINS on the exhibition's visual identity system, spatial design, and interactive experience development. RadicalMedia, whose CEO, Jon Kamen, serves on the Museum's Board of Trustees, created, produced, and donated the two video installations that open and close the exhibition.
The exhibition is housed in a new gallery which received $4.5 million in City funding, with over $1.6 million from the City's Executive Budget, $2 million from Council Member
Jimmy Van Bramer, and $500,000 from Borough President
Melinda Katz.
Also attending the ribbon-cutting were NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner
Tom Finkelpearl; James Padgett, President of the NYC Economic Development Corp; the Museum's Co-Chairman Ivan L. Lustig; the Museum's Vice Chair and Secretary
Warrington Hudlin; Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment First Deputy Commissioner Kai Falkenberg; NYC & Company President Fr
Ed Dixon; Debbie McClellan, Vice President, The Muppets Studio; Betsy Loredo, Executive Editor, Sesame Workshop; Karen Falk, Archives Director, The
Jim Henson Company;
Craig Shemin, President, and Bonnie Erickson, President Emeritus, of The
Jim Henson Legacy; Brian Collins, founder and CEO of COLLINS; and many of the Museum's staff and supporters who made the gallery and the exhibition possible.
"The
Jim Henson Exhibition is a beautiful homage to an artist whose influence on our children's education and popular culture is immeasurable," said First Lady of New York City
Chirlane McCray. "With warmth, a little bit of silliness, and a whole lot of love, Henson's characters will continue to teach and bridge cultural and education gaps for generations to come."
"I am delighted our beloved Muppets have a new home in the World's Borough, and fittingly, at New York's Museum of the Moving Image. I congratulate Council Member
Van Bramer and Borough President Katz for their collaboration and dedication to America's most irascible monsters-and New York families," Mayor
Bill de Blasio said.
"Today, the Muppets take Queens!
Jim Henson's world is full of magic, humor and meaning. It's a Made in New York story that we are thrilled will be told to countless visitors at the Museum of the Moving Image. The City is proud to support this new exhibit," said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen.
"The opening of The
Jim Henson Exhibition is a major milestone for the Museum. This moment is the result of the tireless work of our staff and collaborators, generous support from The City of New York, especially our representatives from Queens, the family of
Jim Henson, and the expertise and selflessness of the many talented artists who worked with Jim and continue to carry the Henson legacy forward," said Ivan L. Lustig, Co-Chairman of the Museum's Board of Trustees.
"The
Jim Henson Exhibition is a place to reconnect to the creative spirit of
Jim Henson. My father and his many collaborators took great joy in making innovative television and film productions that featured these beautiful puppets. It is our pleasure to share them with visitors to the Museum of the Moving Image," said
Cheryl Henson, daughter of
Jim Henson and President of The
Jim Henson Foundation. My family is thrilled to see this exhibit become a permanent destination here in New York and hope
Jim Henson's story will inspire future generations to celebrate their own creative hopes and dreams."
MoMI Executive Director Carl Goodman said, "The
Jim Henson Exhibition opens at a time when the world could use a little reminder of the values embedded in and embodied by
Jim Henson's work: respect for difference, the value of collaboration, creativity, open-mindedness, unity amidst diversity, and kindness-all conveyed through a potent combination of art, film and media, and humor. We hope visitors from all over the world will discover this when they walk through the doors of the exhibition."
"The opening of the
Jim Henson Exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image presents a new, creative way to interact with the unique history of New York City through media," said New York City Council Speaker
Melissa Mark-Viverito. "The Council has been a staunch supporter of the Museum of the Moving Image, having provided nearly $7.9 million in funding for various projects since 2010. We greatly appreciate the contributions all of the countless cultural institutions across our City, and look forward to continuing to support the arts."
"
Jim Henson was a treasure whose characters continue to ignite imaginations and delight children and adults throughout the world," said Queens Borough President
Melinda Katz. "Queens is proud to permanently host the
Jim Henson gallery here in 'The World's Borough.' Congratulations to the Henson family, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Museum of the Moving Image for making this exhibit a reality."
"From The Muppet Show to
Sesame Street, the work of
Jim Henson touched the hearts of millions across our globe," said Majority Leader
Jimmy Van Bramer. "The volume and originality of
Jim Henson's work is truly astounding, and I'm proud to have secured $2 million in funding for a permanent exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image so that hundreds of his personal artifacts including puppets, storyboards, and sketches can find a permanent home in Western Queens. For generations to come, this exhibit will tell the story of his work and inspire all who visit."
"
Jim Henson's body of work shows us the incredible power of creativity, transforming inanimate materials into a universe of characters beloved by people across the globe," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner
Tom Finkelpearl. "The City is proud to support this extraordinary new gallery, which will allow New Yorkers of all ages to enjoy the Muppets, Fraggles,
Sesame Street residents, and other characters for years to come, and develop a deeper appreciation of the artistry it takes to bring something as simple as green felt to life on the screen. We applaud the Henson family, the staff and leadership of the Museum of the Moving Image, Majority Leader
Jimmy Van Bramer and our partners in the City Council, and everyone else who has contributed to this remarkable project."
"After years of hard work, we couldn't be prouder to unveil this permanent home for The
Jim Henson Exhibition right here in Queens, where his work will be forever cherished. Special thanks to Council Majority Leader
Van Bramer and Borough President
Melinda Katz for their efforts in bringing this idea to life," said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James Patchett. "So to Red Fraggle,
Fozzie Bear, Abby Cadabby, and the rest of the iconic characters, in the words of
Miss Piggy, 'Start out perfect and don't change a thing.' Welcome home!"
"The opening of the long anticipated
Jim Henson exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image gives visitors and locals another compelling reason to explore Queens and discover its world-class cultural scene," said Fr
Ed Dixon, NYC & Company's President and CEO.
"
Jim Henson's work is the stuff of legend in American culture, with iconic characters who have delighted fans of all ages for decades," said Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner
Julie Menin. "We are thrilled that the Museum of the Moving Image will be home to a permanent exhibit honoring the special work of this talented artist, and that New York's many Muppet fans will have a place to celebrate all that they love about his work."
"It's great news that the Museum of the Moving Image will have a permanent gallery dedicated to the charming, whimsical, imaginative work of
Jim Henson, one of the most creative and innovative performers/developers in the history of television. From The Muppet Show to Fraggle Rock,
Jim Henson's creations have delighted and inspired us," said U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12). "The Muppets lived in New York and have a particularly New York ethos, which is why it is so important for them to be on display here to enthrall new generations of fans. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Mayor de Blasio and City Council Cultural Affairs Chair
Jimmy Van Bramer for helping the
Jim Henson collection find a permanent home at New York's Museum of the Moving Image."
"
Jim Henson's Muppets are truly an American treasure and it's wonderful that one of Astoria's many treasures-the Museum of the Moving Image-will now be home to this exhibit," said NYS Assembly Member Aravella Simotas.
The Museum acknowledges the significant role played by COLLINS in creative direction and exhibition design, the results of which are an environment that embodies the playful, inventive, and sophisticated spirit of
Jim Henson's creations. In addition, COLLINS designed the two interactive experiences and conceived of The Muppet Show video installation, which features all 120 episodes in the series showing simultaneously.
"We were beyond honored when the Museum invited us to bring our expertise in creative direction, environmental design & interactive technology," said Brian Collins, founder and Chief Creative Officer of COLLINS. "And our collaboration with their amazing people was the best kind of collaboration, inspired by the ethos of
Jim Henson himself-creative people coming together to make something extraordinary. This amazing exhibition will be a great, permanent addition to our city's creative life."
The
Jim Henson Exhibition is made possible by major support from
Brian Henson,
Cheryl Henson,
Heather Henson,
Lisa Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and Peter G. Peterson, Bill Prady, Booth Ferris Foundation, The Jane Henson Foundation,
George S. Kaufman, Institute of Museum and Library Services,
George Lucas Family Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and Herbert S. Schlosser. In addition, a Kickstarter campaign resulted in more than 2,000 individuals helping to fund the exhibition.
A traveling version of the exhibition, The
Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, opened on May 20 at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington.
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About Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image (movingimage.us) advances the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media. In its stunning facilities-acclaimed for both its accessibility and bold design-the Museum presents exhibitions; screenings of significant works; discussion programs featuring actors, directors, craftspeople, and business leaders; and education programs which serve more than 50,000 students each year. The Museum also houses a significant collection of moving-image artifacts.
About COLLINS
COLLINS is an independent brand and experience design company based in New York and San Francisco. Founded by Brian Collins, the firm has 60 designers, strategists, writers, coders and experimenters dedicated to creating brands, experiences and technologies that shape companies and people for the better. COLLINS works globally with clients including Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, Target, Nike, Coca-Cola and The
Guggenheim Museum, among others.
Museum of the Moving Image is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and has received significant support from the following public agencies: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; New York City Economic Development Corporation; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; Institute of Museum and Library Services; National Endowment for the Humanities; National Endowment for the Arts; and Natural Heritage Trust (administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation). For more information, please visit movingimage.us.
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