“There are no rules, and those are the rules.” The quote, from the 1980s television show “Fraggle Rock,” explains how Jim Henson became the mastermind behind phenomenal productions and beloved characters, such as Kermit the Frog and Big Bird. “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” is an exhibition which will run until June 22 at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. The exhibition features 140 original sketches, storyboards, puppets and videos. Tickets for the showcase are $8 for adults and $7 for children. Adults might recognize puppets and costumes from “The Muppet Show” and “The Dark Crystal,” as well as Bert, Ernie and Big Bird, the Henson creations that taught present-day adults spelling and considerate behavior. The intention of the exhibit is to get to know Henson, who died in 1990, through his doodles and drawings, said Karen Falk, curator of the exhibition and archivist at the Jim Henson Company. “This provides an appreciation for Jim as an artist,” Falk said. Katie Allen, University alumna and assistant director of development at LASM, said while the exhibit is enjoyable for children, adults can fully appreciate Henson’s work as well. “It is geared toward college students and adults in their 20s and 30s,” Allen said. “It’s amazing how you can see Jim’s original concepts and ideas.” The entire exhibition is provided by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Jim Henson Legacy. “This is one of our most restricted exhibits,” said Pam Sills, LASM director of development. “People aren’t even allowed to take pictures.” It took 10 days to construct the area and set up the pieces. A Smithsonian official supervised the construction. “Only they were allowed to set up and touch the puppets,” Sills said. “Apart from the staff doing the construction, no one else was allowed in this area.” Sills said 17 sponsors provided funds for the display, making it one of the museum’s most expensive expositions. Kermit, perched on a log, greets guests who enter the exhibit. A podcast explains how the original Kermit was made of Henson’s mother’s green coat and two halves of a ping pong ball as eyes. Small signs throughout the exhibit cue additional opportunities to listen to further history behind some pieces. The podcast for the exhibit is also available to download online so users can bring their own iPods to the museum, Sills said. Fuzzy orange, pink and blue capes are offered for children to wear. The capes help reinforce Henson’s fantasy world, Sills said. “While they’re meant for children, many parents wear them too,” she said. Henson’s early work in college was in graphic design, Sills said. Many posters for events and shows illustrate his colorful concepts and creative fantasy. He also made commercials for companies like Community Coffee. Flat screen televisions throughout the exhibit play these commercials, which originally aired in the 1960s. The exhibit, in basic chronological order, eventually leads guests to Henson’s muppet age. “At first, no one in America would take on his project,” Sills said. “The muppets really took off because it was produced in London but aired in the United States.” In the end, Henson’s creations were widely adored. Even Big Bird was given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the end of the tour, a room is provided with puppets and a stage for children. “It’s good for kids because they are made to behave and be quiet in the exhibit, and in this room they are able to just go wild,” Allen said. The exhibition’s next stop is the International Gallery in Washington, D.C., from July 12 to October 5.
—-Contact Ashley Norsworthy at [email protected]