San Diego, CA–When Mingei International Museum reopens September 3, the museum will highlight its rich collection of historical and contemporary folk art, craft, and design as never before.
As part of the dynamic and welcoming transformation project, the gallery spaces will not be the only place visitors experience “art of the people.” Visitors will find functional, beautiful, and surprising elements in the building’s architecture and design, including curtains, flooring, lighting, bar tops, and more. In partnership with Mingei, the nationally recognized firm LUCE et studio envisioned the Museum’s physical transformation focusing on artist collaborations, accessibility, functionality, and well-crafted and inspiring design.
In addition to the reopening exhibitions–Global Spirit–Folk Art from the Ted Cohen Collection and Humble Spirit and Priceless Art, Mingei will feature objects from its permanent collection on the free Commons level, in its new courtyard and at the entrances of the Museum.
Global Spirit showcases folk art from more than 20 countries, highlighting a donation to the museum by Oakland-based collector and exhibition designer, Ted Cohen. Over 200 works will be featured in this exhibition, including handcrafted masks, puppets, dolls, instruments and baskets, as well as unexpected objects such as hat boxes, a lunch box and a three-foot-tall elephant made from paper and bamboo. The vast array of materials and subject matter is representative of the museum’s mission to celebrate human creativity in all forms.
The exhibition inaugurates Mingei’s renovated space, newly imagined to more fully bring the art of the world and art of the people to all people. The works in this show are intended to delight the viewer with their color, whimsy and beauty, revealing aspects of the lives and history of people from around the world
Located in the heart of historic Balboa Park, the museum’s reopening exhibitions, Commons level installation and outdoor public art connect park visitors with stunning everyday objects, inspiring them to embrace their own creativity.
