Jim Henson's Fantastic World - Highlights (Revisited for 2011)

If the traveling Smithsonian exhibition "Jim Henson's Fantastic World" comes to your neck of the woods, be sure to check it out! Consider this a small sampler to whet your appetite.

On March 6, 2010, I drove six hours to see JHFW at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS. Although I probably would have been bummed out upon learning the no-photo/no-video rule once I got there, we got to meet the wonderful Heather Henson just as we arrived, so it was definitely a worthwhile trip.

I've pared the half-hour podcast for the exhibit down to less than seven minutes, and synched it with the proper images, which I scrounged from numerous sources online within days of returning from the trip. Where possible, I've tried to use images of the Jackson exhibit. The opening images of a Gonzo replica poser holding a bouquet of balloons came from the table display for Heather Henson's event that day; as we were about to leave the museum, she presented my sons with the balloons.

The voices you hear are: Dave Goelz (as Gonzo the Great), Karen Falk, Craig Shemin, and Cheryl Henson, as well as an unidentified female narrator. For the complete 30-minute audio, which includes such fascinating tidbits as Goelz explaining the vocal evolution of Gonzo, be sure to check out: http://www.sites.si.edu/henson/podcast.html

The photos don't do justice to the actual exhibit, which contains an estimated 100 pieces of artwork, at least one more puppet besides those shown here, and video screens of early commercials and experimental films.

Enjoy!

2011 UPDATE: On Henson.com, I finally found a better copy of one of the photos that I saw in person, so I've re-edited this. It's a picture of Jim Henson up on the roof demonstrating how the giant Big Boss Man rod-puppet works. You can tell that Big Boss Man is still being constructed at the time.

This was one of my favorite images from the exhibition: the magician revealing his tricks. I stood there mesmerized by it. So glad to have found it.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Jim Henson's Fantastic World
• Jim Henson
• Muppets
• Muppet Show
• Sesame Street
• Fraggle Rock
• Dark Crystal
• Kermit
• Goshposh
• Featherstone
• Tinkerdee
• Mahna Mahna
• Snowths
• Rowlf
• Wilkins
• Wontkins
• Ernie and Bert
• Gobo
• Cantus
• Gonzo the Great
• the Great Gonzo
• puppets
• Smithsonian
• Mississippi Museum of Art

[dpatsos1]

So very glad you made this. I am a true Jim Henson muppet fan for 30 years. Is this museum in Mississippi?

[LextheRobot]

@dpatsos1 Yes, the Mississippi Museum of Art, in Jackson. But the exhibit is a touring Smithsonian show, and it moved on a week after this was shot. Go to the Smithsonian site and you should be able to find info on its current or upcoming locations/dates.

[LextheRobot]

Hi! I made it myself by synching up an edited-down version of the audio tour with the appropriate photos. Even though we were not allowed to take pics by the docents, images can be found online if you're diligent. Most of these were from Flickr. If you want to hear the full audio, there's a link in the description that tells where to find it. Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[muppetsstoogesfan1]

@dpatsos1 i think this is in astoria queens new york right now

[MsChris929]

mahna  mahna

[MrJoshfolsom]

Where id you find this documetary? I want to see the whole thing. Thanks!