Come visit the MAAM!
December 4, 2022 • Written by Emma Leone
Have you visited the MassArt Art Museum yet? No, probably not. Every week you get an email from Lisa Tung about updates at the MAAM and I know you ignore it. But there are weekly events and super cool art just around the corner from your classes that you should and could be checking out right now!
The MAAM is a free museum that opened in February 2020. Unfortunately, it was quickly closed due to COVID-19. Since then, the MAAM has been slowly reopening and hosting events. While the MAAM used to be an old gallery space for the school, MassArt privately funded money to renovate the space to put in a contemporary museum that brings new art for our students and the public to be inspired by.
As a museum attendant I know that our events can create a lot of opportunities for young artists. We often host influential people in the field as well as collaborations with nearby organizations. Most recently, the MAAM hosted a concert in collaboration with Berklee’s Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. It was a free concert that featured live performers that created pieces based off of the artwork Valkyrie Mumbet. So, I do encourage you to look out for any events that are sent to your inbox - they are super cool opportunities for MassArt students.
The MAAM has two galleries that have exhibits on display right now. The first exhibit that was installed in 2020 is the Valkyrie Mumbet by Joana Vasconcelos. The photos of the Valkyrie Mumbet do not do the sculpture justice. To really feel the sheer size of the installation you have to go see it for yourself. Portuguese music picked by the artist creates a lovely ambiance in the gallery while you really get in there and explore the installation itself. You are more than welcome to walk in between the legs of the Valkyrie Mumbet; however, as a museum attendant, I must remind you that you cannot touch the artwork, no matter how tempting those bells are. There is a balcony above this exhibit that will give you a more aerial view of the piece. The balcony really captures the magnificence of the piece. My favorite leg of the Valkyrie Mumbet is a blue arm that is most visible from the second level. It is crafted out of many crocheted circles that alternate different versions of the color blue. Come and find your favorite piece of the Valkyrie.
The MAAM’s second exhibit on display is Designing Motherhood. This exhibit is a collaborative collection that features a series of artists. It takes you through all the stages of motherhood/caregiving. From Exams to Postpartum, you will be able to see all the techniques people have used in the past to aid in the process of birth. Even if you feel like you won’t connect to this exhibit, I still recommend checking it out. In the end we all do have a connection to this exhibit because, of course, we have all been born. My favorite piece in this exhibit is a case where you can see all the designs used for IUDs since their invention. IUD as a form of birth control has become more popular lately so it is truly interesting to see what kind of shapes they used to create before the IUD shape we are familiar with today. If you are personally sensitive to the topics of pregnancy, reproductive health, and/or the intricacies of the birthing process, I do recommend skipping on this one. If you are unsure if the content may be triggering or uncomfortable for you, please ask a museum attendant for more information before visiting!
Both of these exhibits will be leaving the MAAM in December. Remember, the buttons and stickers are free and the museum attendants will always encourage you to take as many as you would like. I hope to see you there!
