MoPOP (Museum of Popular Culture), formerly known as the EMP (Experience Music Project Museum), is the a marvelous structure in Seattle, minutes away from the towering Space Needle. Upon approaching the structure, one will have a glimpse at the unique style and presence that emanates from the architectural design, as a space that embodies and houses creativity.
The exhibits inside are plentiful, arranged between three floors. The general layout is spacious, with various themes explored through different mediums, among meticulously themed areas. There is a very non-linear narrative. Some of the exhibits were more localized, showcasing stories from Seattle, as well as the Pacific Northwest. Most areas covered a broader scale, but they all shared the same underlying desire to promote and applaud creative accomplishments.
Beginning with the second floor, which is actually the level that visitors enter, through the main doors, there is a huge screen, featuring a plethora of curated content, with an emphasis on musical performances. Directly across is an exhibition about Seattle’s very own Nirvana, and the various influences this iconic band had on the grunge scene. There is an interactive area where one is able to experience the action of a selection of indie games, as well as a fantasy-themed room, with items from a variety of films, ranging from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Game of Thrones”.
Traveling downstairs, one encounters two more themed spaces: horror and sci-fi. Each of these rooms consist of memorabilia from seminal works, such as “Alien,” “Gremlin,” “The Terminator,” and “Star Wars”. Not only are there many items on display, but there is an emphasis on interactivity, with a strong implementation of media stations that follow the respective themes.
Making one’s way to the very top level, one can see why the museum was once dubbed the “EMP,” with a many exhibits centralized on musical experience. However, there is also also a wearable art showcase that further communicates the museum’s passion for the culture of creativity.
Overall, MoPOP attempts to use various media, especially visuals and sound, to enhance the visitor experience, while offering a taste of various creative outlets, and reaffirming the embracing of inventive tradition seen in American culture.
While I think the space is divided well, and generally groups similar themes together, there could be a better organized, such that musical media occupy the same spaces, while more thematic experiences share the same floor, with a floor dedicated to more visual art forms. However, I do like the incorporation of sound and musical details in most of the exhibits, which helps set a mood for each space. With a mission based on sharing the creative ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary culture, the MoPOP museum has a strong emphasis on learning through exploration, so perhaps an adventure leading through each area, where each floor offers a mesh of each theme could equally lend to this goal.
Without ever having visited this museum, I am inclined to agree with you that the non-traditional organization most successfully embodies the mission of the museum to document creativity and risk-taking. This sounds like a museum that cultivates an atmosphere in which the visitor could come to the museum many times and have extremely different experiences based on how they choose to move through the space and interact with other visitors.
I really appreciate that you included the images of the map in your post. It really helped me understand what you were talking about with such a complexly designed museum. As a very organizationally minded individual, I found myself naturally trying to find connections between the floors and trying to understand why they put each in its space, but I agree with you that this subject matter is unique and that the incorporation of multiple forms can be beneficial.
Great analysis! I visited MoPOP 2 years ago and it was a unique experience Much as I am glad that the museum has included more exciting themes, It is somehow underwhelming that the collections are still not as closely related compared to museums in a traditional notion. The photos and explanations you offered are really helpful when I try to recall the structure of the museum., and I totally agree to your evaluation that MoPOP focuses on showcasing trending popular culture with interactive video and audio contents. In hindsight, it sacrificed the comprehensiveness of the exhibits to attract broader viewer groups.