Museum Of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth With Free Open House – Events, Exhibits, And More
The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth with another year of free admission. The free open house will feature some special events, impressive exhibits, and fun activities. It’s an exciting…
The entrance of The Museum of Fine Arts, now showing their new exhibit Hallyu! The Korean Wave.
PebblesThe Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth with another year of free admission. The free open house will feature some special events, impressive exhibits, and fun activities. It's an exciting time for families and the community to come together as The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth was signed into law as a national holiday on June 17th, 2021. Juneteenth recognizes the date of June 19, 1865 when enslaved people of African descent in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom in the United States. While it is a reason for celebration, I don't think I will ever get over the fact that this happened 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. President Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation on January 1, 1863, that legally freed enslaved people in the states that had seceded from the Union. There were close to 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston that had no idea.
The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law by President Biden in 2021. This came after educator and activist Opal Lee lead a longtime push for the day to become an official federal holiday. Known as the "grandmother of Juneteenth," in 2016, Lee walked 1,400 miles from Fort Worth Texas to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to the holiday. She was at the White House when the bill was signed into law.
The Museum Of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth
On Wednesday, June 19th, The Museum of Fine Arts celebrates Juneteenth. From 10am - 5pm, the MFA in partnership with Citizens, offers free admission to the museum. It's free to all Massachusetts residents. The day will feature various events, activities, and exhibits, including access to Hallyu! The Korean Wave.
PebblesOn the way into the Hallyu! exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Events, Activities, And Exhibits Included As The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth
Community Art Making - Ahead of the Open House on the 19th, MFA educators will be distributing art-making kits at Citizens branches in three areas. Jamaica Plain on June 13, 11 am–2 pm (Citizens, 696 Centre St), in Dorchester on June 15, 9 am–12 pm (Citizens, 1160 Blue Hill Avenue), and in Mattapan on June 17, 11 am–2 pm (Citizens, 1575 Blue Hill Avenue) The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth.
Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party - One of the more than a dozen exhibits you can attend, this one "brings together 27 photographs by photojournalist Stephen Shames that record the everyday lives and critical work of the women who comprised more than 65 percent of the Black Panther Party’s membership." (Museum of Fine Arts)
Four Womxn: New Musings on Blackness - "Inspired by Nina Simone’s 1966 song of archetypes and stereotypes bestowed upon Black women, the newly opened exhibition Four Womxn: New Musings on Blackness explores those ideations and connections that transcend geography, age, class, sexuality and artistry." (Museum of Fine Arts)
Art Fair with Mission Hill Main Streets - 10 am–3 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard. Mission Hill Main Streets works with local businesses, residents and institutions in Mission Hill to revitalize local businesses and strengthen the community. Visitors can meet and enjoy the art of some of the local artists who partner with the organization.
Drop-in Art Making: Collage - This activity will take place from 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm), on the Huntington Avenue Lawn (rain location Druker Family Pavilion). Using patterned paper and mixed media, visitors can create their very own colorful collage.
Blackness is Monumental - This event will take place from 1-3pm at the Riley Seminar Room. 'What are monuments for? What do they teach us about who matters? And how can we radically reimagine monuments to lift up and reclaim our stories?" Visitors can join Wee the People, a social justice project, for an art-filled, intergenerational workshop called “Blackness Is Monumental.” And you can embrace your artistic side and collage your own monument to Blackness with recycled materials including boxes, tubes, gems, vintage photos, and wall-to-wall images of Black art, culture, history and experience.
Also, from 1:30 and 2:30 pm, visitors can hear a reading of the award-winning picture book The Artivist (2023) by Nikkolas Smith. It's about how kids can combine art and activism in their daily lives.
As The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth there will also be: a photo booth, free guided tours, drag story hour, face painting, the Boston City Singers, and more.
You can get your tickets as The Museum of Fine Arts Celebrates Juneteenth HERE.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave has arrived at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts! From award-winning films like Parasite, record-breaking dramas like Squid Game, to global sensation K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, South Korea has shown itself to be a country of innovation and influence. This new exhibit is not only a display of incredible art, it's also a captivating presentation of Korean history, culture, and people.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave Exhibit
The first major exhibition to focus on South Korean pop culture and its worldwide influence, Hallyu! the Korean Wave will be on view at the Museum of Fine Arts from March 24th through July 28th 2024. The exhibit features about 250 object that highlight Korea's contributions in the areas of art, cinema, drama, music, fashion, beauty, and technology. It's described as "The first major exhibition to explore the origins, evolution and incredible impact worldwide of Korea’s pop culture, Hallyu! celebrates a vibrant creative force that bridges cultural, societal and linguistic divides—and continues to reach new heights today."
Other Hallyu! The Korean Wave programs at the MFA
I love that there are so many other great programs available, in addition to the exhibit.
May 2nd - Min Jin Lee: Writing and the Korean Wave - I'm so excited for this. The award-winning author of Pachinko and Free Food for Millionaires will be in conversation with Min Hyoung Song, Professor and Department Chair of English, Boston College. You can get your tickets here.
Hallyu Hits: Korean Films That Moved the World - The festival will take place from May 16th–June 13th, and will feature hits like Parasite, Snowpiercer, Oldboy, and Train to Busan. There will also be screenings of Past Lives, and Minari.
Special lectures - There are several lectures taking place over the next few months. On March 27th from 1pm - 3pm, it's Ashes to Powerhouse: South Korea from the 1950s to the 2020s. On April 3rd from 1pm - 2:30pm, it's The MFA's Korean Art Collection and Hallyu! On April 24th from 1pm - 2:30pm, It's Hallyu Cinema which will include the impact that streaming services like Netflix are having on the film industry in South Korea. If fashion is your thing, On May 1st from 1pm - 2:30pm, don't miss Hallyu and Korean Fashion. There are also many other lectures, special events, courses, special nights, and performances you can check out. Here's the entire list.
I was able to preview the exhibit before it opened, and had an incredible time. Here are some of the highlights you can expect from Hallyu! The Korean Wave.
Hallyu! The Korean Wave at the MFA
PebblesHallyu! The Korean Wave has arrived at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Always exciting to walk up to the MFA for a new exhibit.
Hallyu! swag
PebblesAlways nice to get a little swag at an event. We were treated to these great posters and tote bags. We even got some delicious food as well.
Welcome to Hallyu! The Korean Wave
PebblesOn the way into the Hallyu! exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Entrance to Hallyu! The Korean Wave
PebblesEntrance to Hallyu! The Korean Wave exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was so exciting to see this stunning display at the entrance.
My new friend Cori Ahn
PebblesMet Cori Ahn while waiting to go into the exhibit. We talked about children's books, kimchi, her fashion designer friends, and more. She ended up being my personal tour guide through the exhibit, and gave me a great perspective on items we looked at.
Children's book author Cori Ahn
PebblesChildren's book author Cori Ahn holds up My Name Is Kimchi. The book explores the cultural significance of kimchi, Korea's national food. It also tells the dog's journey to being named Kimchi.
Squid Game comes to the MFA
PebblesI think I'm the only person in the world that hasn't seen Squid Game. The series is Neflix's most-watched series in 94 countries. It revolves around a secret contest where 456 people who are struggling financially. They then participate in series of children's games for billions of dollars.
Bathroom of the movie Parasite
PebblesA recreation of the bathroom featured in the movie Parasite. The 2020 movie made history when it became the first non-English-language film to win the Oscar for ‘Best Picture.’ According to an Instagram post by the MFA, "The inclusion of the “Parasite” bathroom was discussed with production designer Lee Ha-Jun and it was agreed that the bathroom would be the most powerful set to recreate, as a way to highlight the societal inequalities explored in the film."
Crash Landing on You
PebblesCrash Landing on You is about a South Korean heiress who accidently lands in North Korea after a paragliding incident. She then forms a relationship with an army officer and members of the community. Super popular series that was an introduction to Kdramas for a lot of people when the pandemic hit.
Kdrama costumes
PebblesThe green outfit on the right is the one that was worn by Park Bo-gum in the series Love in the Moonlight. Loved this one about a woman who secretly enters the palace as a eunuch, and ends up forming a relationship with the crown prince.
Traditional men's Korean hats
PebblesHere are four different men's Korean hats. From left to right: the Gat is the basic hat worn by nobles outdoors , Jeongjagwan - a hat worn by upper-class scholars at home, The Jurip was worn mainly by the royal guards and was part of the royal army and the bottom right one is Manggeon and was used to hold the headdress.
Historical Kdrama table setting
PebblesI've seen this scene so many times in Kdramas. I LOVE historical Kdramas, also known as sageuk. The table setting here is bronzeware known as bangjja or yugi. A complete set of bangjja includes dishes, bowls, spoons, and chopsticks, and was historically used as tableware for the royal families of Korea. I was lucky enough to buy a couple bowls, chopsticks, and a spoon on my visit to Seoul.
Julia Kwon in front of her artwork
PebblesArtist Julia Kwon in front of her Korean silk artwork that's sewn in the format of Korean object-wrapping cloth called bojagi. It's a really moving and emotional piece as the yellow bars represent a graph of the different types of AAPI discrimination in the United States. I stood in front of this for a long time. Art really is powerful.
Kpop comes to the MFA
PebblesKpop costumes worn by RM from BTS and Wooyoung from ATEEZ
PebblesAs a proud member of the BTS ARMY fandom, I almost screamed when I saw this part of the exhibit. The outfit on the right was worn by my BTS bias Namjoon aka RM. It was worn when the group performed Ddaeng at the BTS Prom Party in 2018.
Kpop costumes worn by Wooyoung from ATEEZ (left) and RM from BTS 9right) of BTS
PebblesIn case, like me, you want a more close-up look at the outfits, here you go! Yes I feel a little nuts that I got that excited about something one of my favorite people in the world once wore. But you gotta take the joy where you can get it! Lol
Korean culture and fashion
PebblesThis was such a stunning display. They include classic and modern hanbok. Hanbok is the traditional clothing of Korean people.
Moon Jar Dress, Blue, 2021. / Minju Kim
PebblesThe Moon Jar dress is the creation of Minju Kim. She was the winner of the first season of Next in Fashion. You'll see the inspiration for the dress in the next picture. The Moon Jar.
Korean Moon Jar
PebblesThe Moon Jar is one of the items from the Korean art collection at the MFA. The white porcelain moon jar is from the 18th century. It's from the Joseon dynasty, the last dynastic kingdom of Korea.
Pebbles and the wall of Kpop lightsticks
PebblesThis wall is a display of various Kpop lightsticks. Different groups have their own unique lightsticks that you take to the concerts. The first lightstick is credited to G-Dragon, the leader of BIGBANG. He decided their fans should have a light to support them on stage, and designed a yellow, crown-shaped golden lightstick named BangBong. I personally have a BTS one known as an ARMY Bomb, named after the BTS fandom.
Kpop light sticks
PebblesIf you've ever been to a Kpop concert, or have seen one online, you've also seen the sea of light sticks. Different groups have their own versions of light sticks. This display included ones from BTS, Blackpink, and more. I recently got my own BTS light stick and can't wait to go to a concert to use it!
Pebbles tries Kpop choreo
Cori AhnNo I can not dance. But yes, I wanted to give it a try. This interactive exhibit shows you some moves to That That by Psy and Suga of BTS. There are different levels to try. I did the lowest level obviously.
Hallyu is_____________?
PebblesThe final stop on the Korean Wave is this wall. You then can take a paper and write your answer and post it on the wall. You can see what my friend and I posted for ours.
Hallyu is_____________?
PebblesMy new friend Cori Ahn and I sat down to reflect on what Hallyu means to us. The one with BTS and Kdramas is obviously mine. And Cori Ahn summed hers us up with: fabulous, inspiring, beautiful, and aesthetic. I agree with all of this!
