Moving Out & Moving Up

So, i decided last minute to drive up to Northern Virginia (where i am from originally) to visit my parents, see a documentary that is not playing in Richmond yet, and go to a couple museum exhibits. Well. I am really glad i decided to do that. I visited the Hirshhorn to see an exhibit titled: The Cinema Effect: Illusion, Reality, and the Moving Image It will be there till September 7th if anyone has the chance to check it out. Very cool. Kind of a video overload… but some really interesting pieces.

“I’ve always been most intrigued by what can be done with the visual image. I feel that is what is strongest about the work i do… the visual image.” -Jim Henson

I also saw the Jim Henson exhibit that the Smithsonian is hosting. What an experience. (It will be there till October 5th, GO!)

The venue was this underground museum i had never been to before. It was great because there was no way to get cell phone reception <underground> so it really provided the opportunity to submerse one’s self in the life and creativity of Jim Henson. All the rooms were painted colorfully and the walls were adorned with framed sketches by Henson along with original storyboards and quotes from the man himself. Of course there were thick-walled Plexiglas cases immortalizing some of our favorite Muppet’s including one of the original Kermit puppets and Rowlf.

“I believe that we can use television and film to shape the thoughts of children and adults in a positive way” -Jim Henson

I have been eyeing an internship with the Jim Henson Company in LA for the upcoming summer and this exhibit has made me determined. My main aspiration is to create quality children’s television programming for ages 6-12. Jim Henson did this beautifully for the under 6 crowd, so perfectly and creatively with Sesame Street. I feel like i have a lot to learn from him, regardless of his unfortunate early death. Anyway. The exhibit was really well presented and incredibly entertaining and educational. I highly recommend it!

Tonight, I also attended a viewing of the documentary titled Man on Wire.

This movie was really well done and incredibly inspiring. Its the true story about the guy who tightrope walked across a wire that was anchored between the two World Trade Centers. Its really very beautiful. Includes some footage of the towers being built which was <for me> surprisingly emotional to watch. It will be in Richmond starting September 26th at the Regal Westhampton Theatre on Grove. Highly recommend this one also!

I have so many ideas for artwork and life after seeing so many inspiring things in one day. I felt really compelled to write about it <in case you hadn’t noticed at this point> which is new for me, so i hope that maybe you can find some new inspiration also.

signing off. Meg.