#The Jim Henson Exhibition

[muppet-facts]

Muppet Fact #1218

The original Java Muppets from 1965 are on display at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.

Source:

Museum of the Moving Image. The Jim Henson Exhibition. Java Muppet. https://movingimage.org/event/the-jim-henson-exhibition/.

[tourist-gengar]

“Hey guys, Zak and Pixie here! Cali told us that today is Jim Henson’s birthday, and while we were on our trip to New York, we visited this museum that had an exhibit all about his work! So here’s some of the pictures Cali took. They don’t have us in them, but we figured you all would enjoy them anyway!”

The Jim Henson Exhibition at the Museum of the Moving Image (@movingimagenyc ) was one of the things I was most excited for during our trip; I was already a fan of Sesame Street and the Muppets as a kid, and I even came to love some of Jim Henson’s earlier work like the commercials for Wilkins Coffee (seriously, look the Wilkins Coffee commercials up, they are hilarious, sometimes unhinged, and I love them), and the cult classic Labyrinth as I grew up.

The exhibit itself was incredible, there were even a few hands on activities like a booth where you get to puppeteer the way Muppeteers do, and building your own Muppet (note: the Muppet torso is connected to a table, so no, you don’t get to take it home). Unfortunately the playback on my sister and I’s attempt at puppeteering played back at like 2 frames a second instead of smoothly like the live feed we were watching while performing.

It was so interesting to see concept art of some of the characters they had on display (and some they didn’t), they even had little video screens to show you what the characters looked like in action.

Of course there were large sections dedicated to his most notable works, Sesame Street and the Muppet Show, there was some Fraggle Rock too, but I’m not as familiar with it (will definitely try finding episodes somewhere, though).

And I was quite happy to see Sarah and Jareth’s outfits on display. Maybe someday I can go to the museum that has their masquerade ball costumes.

“Oh yes, please! More trips to plan for! Oh! Sorry! I’ll go now.”

You’re fine Zak. Now, where was I? Ah, yes.

They had this beautiful version of Miss Piggy from The Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as concept art and magazine covers.

I have a few more pictures from the Museum of the Moving Image, but seeing as tumblr will only let me post 10 images per post, I will leave you with this picture of Kermit the Frog, sitting beside Jim Henson’s headset.

Happy birthday, Mr. Henson. I hope wherever you are, you know just how much joy you brought into the world.

[radarsteddybear]

And, of course, no Jim Henson exhibit is complete without Muppets from The Muppet Show! This year, I got to see three different Kermit the Frogs, including the original; Rowlf; Statler and Waldorf; a family of Koozbanians; the Swedish Chef; the original Java puppets; Bunsen and Beaker; the Country Trio; Miss Piggy (in her wedding dress from The Muppets Take Manhattan); Zoot; and Scooter. Aside from all the Kermits, I think the Country Trio were my favorites. If they look familiar, you're not mistaken--they're made in the likenesses of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Jerry Nelson.

Bonus puppets under the cut include the Beautiful Day monster; a Snowth; You Are My Sunshine; Nigel (The Muppet Show's orchestra conductor); and Wilkins and Wontkins from the Henson-produced series of Wilkins Coffee commercials.

[freddiefreakedit]

i am honored to have been able to see the costumes from labyrinth in person this weekend! i have more photos from the jim henson exhibit overall im just freaking out about this

[wildcmbcrsmuses]

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited Peoria Riverfront Museum, November of 2024

[lullaby-bliss]

I just realized I never posted the finished piece. I submitted it for an art exhibition and was selected! I am very excited about the exhibit and am super proud of my work.

[travelingmatts-adventurerslog]

Today I found myself in a cave that seemed to be commemorating one of the Silly Creatures. It looked to be a popular attraction but I left fairly quickly. I had more important places to explore!

Location: Henson exhibit in the Museum of Moving Images (New York)

[themuppetmasterencyclopedia]

[iheartvelma]

“Is Grover so out of touch?”

“No, it’s HBO who are wrong.”

[astronoglow]

Miscellaneous Exhibit Photos

[cowboypossume]

special interest so strong you're contemplating flying across the country for it

[kstarlitchaotics]

All goes well will be seeing my fav Muppets on Wednesday 💖

[cookinguptales]

I remember when I followed you for the muppets (this was back before Muppets ABC even)

oh... oh bless... you're a very patient person, I think. lmao.

That was like a decade ago! I backed off from Muppets fandom for a while, partially because I didn't have much more to say and partially because I was getting some um. Anxiety-inducing treatment. :')

These days... I still love The Muppets (I've been to several exhibits lately!!) but I've been a bit too tired and too... brain-unhappy, I guess, to write them. Medication problems, y'know? Someone requested them a few weeks ago and I really considered it but my brain is just not there. ._.

That said, The Muppets are one of those beloved childhood franchises that will always be there for me when I want/need to go back to it, so I feel comfortable letting the fandom move in and out of my life. It's a comforting canon like that.

[radarsteddybear]

I got to see in-person Fraggles this year! Gobo, Uncle Traveling Matt, and Cantus are at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens (along with three Doozers and Convincing John, who for some reason is displayed elsewhere in the exhibit), and Red and Wembley were part of The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, the MOMI's traveling Jim Henson exhibit. Now that that exhibit's reached the end of its tour, I'm curious to see what's going to happen to it 🤔

Bonus Doozers and Convincing John underneath the cut:

[freddiefreakedit]

more of the jim henson exhibit - the dark crystal

[wildcmbcrsmuses]

The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited Peoria Riverfront Museum, November of 2024