Museum of the Moving Image will exhibit "Jim Henson's Fantanstic World"

For decades Jim Henson’s Muppets have made us laugh, taught children their ABC’s on Sesame Street and inspired wonder and fun in Americans, big and small.

The incredible characters and colorful worlds Henson created are the subject of a traveling Smithsonian exhibit that will open July 16 in New York City. Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image will host “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” from July 16 to January 16, 2012.

The exhibit has traveled from coast to coast over nearly five years, but coming to New York is a kind of homecoming, reported the New York Daily News. Henson’s production studio and business offices are close by, as well as the Sesame Street Workshop, where the beloved children’s show is produced.

Take a look at an exhibit preview (from when the exhibit was showing in Orlando) featuring the exhibit’s curator and Jim Henson’s wife, Jane.

Visitors will be able to explore the exhibits more than 120 artifacts, which include doodles and sketches, archive footage of early Muppet appearances, 14 original puppets, plus the live-action short “Time Piece,” which was nominated for an Oscar in 1965. The exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image will also include several special screenings, talks, workshop and events, as well as a special celebration on September 24, the 75^th anniversary of Henson’s birthday.

But the exhibit is more than just a look at Muppet artifacts. Visitors will gain insight into Henson, his innovations and inspirations. If you’re curious to learn more about Henson now, the Jim Henson Company has made parts of his Red Book available online. Henson began keeping the diary, which later came to be called the Red Book, early in his career to record events in simple single lines.

And if after visiting the exhibit you find yourself wishing a new Muppet story was on the horizon, you’ll be happy to know there will be a new Muppets movie! (You’ll have to be patient though; it’s scheduled to be released in November 2011.)

Comments

[Paul]

This is a great exhibit. I highly recommend it.