Insights and Late Nights:

A Look Back on Installing Murmuration

Join the curator of Murmuration for a personal behind-the-scenes look as she reminisces and reflects on the installation of this monumental artwork and shares her photos of and thoughts about the process.

Murmuration was an artwork in the making for over two years, and after much planning and hard work, it came to fruition because of the awesome Squidsoup and SMoCA teams coming together. As Murmuration enters its final weeks of being on view, I thought it was appropriate to look back at how this piece came to be and celebrate this wonderful, and meaningful collaboration.

This monumental artwork made history at SMoCA, being the first of its kind on the outside of our building. Once it was completed, it felt like it was always meant to be part of SMoCA, and now we can’t image it not being there. I am actually still surprised (and thankful) Squidsoup didn’t bat an eye when I asked if they were up for the challenge to make this monumental new work almost three years ago. They’re such good sports and the best collaborators I could have asked for. Thinking back on the whole process behind Murmuration and looking at images I captured along the way has me feeling quite nostalgic and I wanted to acknowledge our phenomenal teams that came together to make it all happen. Look what we did.

Soon after we began installing the work, the sheer magnitude of it suddenly hit me, and I now feel lucky and humbled to have been part of something so substantial and meaningful. I cannot even begin to express how much working with Squidsoup and the SMoCA team on Murmuration has meant to me and the lasting impact it has made. I will forever fondly remember it, even though there may have been some challenges along the way. The sheer dedication of Squidsoup and the SMoCA team to troubleshoot throughout the entire process was unbelievable and it became clear that we all were invested in Murmuration and working together to find a way to make it happen. It is rare when an artwork and artist come along and things just click. Working together felt easy and made sense even though we were an ocean apart and heading into the unknown together. Something as special as this exhibition serves as a reminder of the power of art and how it brings people together. I could not be prouder of the work Squidsoup and our team has done (and continues to do) and feel truly privileged to have been part of it. Through all the trials and tribulations during installation, it was still always a pleasure working with everyone to troubleshoot as challenges came our way.  

I want to sincerely thank Squidsoup and SMoCA’s unbelievable preparator team for all of their hard work (and measurement converting from meters to feet, and then back to meters again), and for making this dream a reality. We all may have had sore necks by the end of installation from looking up at Murmuration all day (and night), but it was totally worth it. I will forever be grateful to you all.

Now, as I fondly look back on the process of installing this artwork, sharing these photos of my experience along the way, all I can do is smile and be thankful (even for the challenges that came our way). So much work went into Murmuration and I only captured a small part of it. So, I hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the installation of this artwork, start-to-finish, from my perspective. I can only hope that Murmuration has given you as much joy as it has me. 

From my heart to your screen,
Julie

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