INDIANAPOLIS -- On Feb. 8, the Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI will open a heartfelt exhibition in the Herron Galleries, "Museum of Broken Relationships Indianapolis," sharing stories of heartbreak through symbolic possessions.
The exhibition is a unique partnership between the IUPUI Museum Studies Program and the Museum of Broken Relationships, a global crowd-sourced project co-founded by artists Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić with a permanent outpost in Zagreb, Croatia. The collaborative community project began last fall and involved 59 students from three different courses led by Lois H. Silverman, Ph.D., and Laura Holzman, Ph.D.
"The Museum of Broken Relationships is one of the world's most unique and timely cultural initiatives. Bringing it to Indianapolis is a dream come true because it allows Circle City residents to contribute their rich experiences and perspectives to this global healing conversation for the benefit of all," said Silverman, a professor of museum studies and public scholar of museum education in the IU School of Liberal Arts. "We are honored to be the first and only museum studies degree program in the U.S. to collaborate with the Museum of Broken Relationships, and we look forward to expanding our partnership."
An accompanying slate of programs, satellite displays, and educational resources will allow visitors to engage with the themes surrounding broken relationships -- tied to romance, family, friends, places, or oneself. Visitors can expect to experience powerful feelings, including humor, nostalgia, tragedy, and everything in between.
"Since many of the materials for the exhibit came from our local community members, we wanted to build the exhibit in a way that would bring the show back into community spaces," said Holzman, who holds dual appointments at Herron and the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. She is director of the museum studies program, associate professor of art history and museum studies, and public scholar of curatorial practices and visual art.
On the opening night, the Museum of Broken Relationships co-founders, Vištica and Grubišić, will discuss the project's origins and growth, the creative processes behind their work, and the power of objects and stories from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in Eskenazi Hall's Basile Auditorium.
Visit herron.indianapolis.iu.edu/mbr for more information on the exhibition, a complete list of satellite displays and related programs, and the university and community partners who have helped shape the visitor experience.
"Museum of Broken Relationships Indianapolis" will be on view in the Berkshire, Reese, and Paul Galleries of Eskenazi Hall through April 22. The exhibition is made possible by the Republic of Croatia Ministry of Culture and Media, the Edgar and Dorothy Fehnel Chair in International Studies fund, the IU School of Liberal Arts, and the IUPUI Center for Service and Learning.
The Great Frame up provides complimentary parking in the Sports Complex Garage adjacent to Eskenazi Hall or on levels 5 and 6 of the Riverwalk Garage, with validation from the galleries. Hotel Indy makes accommodations for Herron's visiting artists possible.
