- October 15th, 2007
- Filed under Exhibitions, Marketing, New Media
I drive a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. I love it. This may sound really silly, but one of my favorite things about the car is the dashboard. During the day there isn’t anything that fancy about it. The gauges are circular and trimmed in chrome and the design is really nice. But it’s also pretty typical. During the day the dashboard is everything you would expect from a German-made car…Well designed and practical. But a night, the dashboard really surprises you. I remember being in awe of it the first time I drove my car after dark. I put the key in the ignition, turned on the head lights and suddenly an amazing glow of cerulean blue and day glow red emanated from the dash. Instantly my sensible sedan became chic and cool. That’s why I love the Passat’s dashboard. It’s like it has a fun, hip side that only comes out after dark.
For more than 5 years, I didn’t think another dashboard could rival my Passat’s for coolness. And while it may not be exactly the same thing, I think the IMA’s new dashboard might just do it. So what’s so cool about our dashboard? We’re really the first museum in the world to use technology like this. The public now has access to statistics about attendance, the art collection and even our budget. For instance, folks can check to see how much we have spent so far this year and how it relates to what we projected in our 2007 budget. Visitors can also check to see how many people have visited Roman Art from the Louvre or shopped in the IMA Shop. For better or for worse, the IMA’s dashboard let’s you see the IMA from the inside. Just like my Passat’s dashboard at night, I hope that the IMA’s dash will show a different side of the Museum that people wouldn’t normally expect. We will constantly be updating the information on the site so check back. We may just surprise you with our coolness!
Speaking of coolness, I spent a good 30 minutes today discussing beer coozies with the IMA’s curator of contemporary art, Lisa Freiman. WHAT?! Let me explain…On November 1, the IMA is having an opening event for the next Forefront show, Ingrid Calame: Traces of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway . Calame will speak at 7:00 pm about her work. Following the lecture, the IMA is throwing our own version of an “infield” party. We’re going to have kegs, tailgating food and yes, coozies. Here’s the details:
Join us for Opening Night / Thursday, November 1
7:00 pm ARTIST TALK
On the opening night of her exhibition, Calame discusses her work. Supported in part by the IMA Contemporary Art Society.
8:00 – 11:00 pm PARTY
Check out the exhibition – open until 9:00 pm – and then join us in our own infield in Pulliam Great Hall for a cash bar, light snacks, and the music of The Twin Cats. Special thanks to Lee Adams Tire.
IMA Members: FREE / Students with ID: $5 / Public: $10
RSVP for the party by Thursday, October 25 by calling 317-920-2651.
