The Mmuseumm is a tiny and unique museum on Cortlandt Alley, NYC, founded by Alex Kalman, and Josh and Benny Safdie. What makes Mmuseumm stand out amongst other museums is the extremely unique design, standing at only 36 square feet and being the smallest museum in NYC. Kalman dreamed of opening a museum in an unusual place, where he could display found objects. The museum aims to create a place where people are curious and ask questions about what they see. The tiny space leaves no room to wander, it’s an immersive and thoughtful experience. Exhibitions at the Mmuseumm include a large collection of objects, broken into smaller collections with subcategories, all related to an overall theme. There have been several exhibits to highlight social injustices in the world, as well as display the everyday human condition. The small objects displayed in each collection tell a bigger story that people can reflect on, and relate to due to the common nature of each object.
Our specific collection, titled “Is This Modern Slavery” is the ninth collection in the museum’s 2020-2021 exhibit. This collection includes objects from all around the world made through the use of forced labor, including debt bondage, human-trafficking, and child slavery. The wide variety of objects in this collection reflects the growth and globalization of slave labor. One of the reasons we chose this collection is because it puts an emphasis on the effects of consumerism and unethical labor, which are topics relevant to our class discussions.
An important reflection from our research is that at first glance, the objects presented don’t necessarily make sense together, yet they are all connected in very specific ways. Although the collection appears to be filled with the most random and incohesive objects, there is actually a great amount of thought and cohesiveness behind the display of each object in order for it to fit the collection and overall theme. When asked about the museum’s array of objects, Alex Kalman said “These seemingly ordinary objects, they’re intimate and they’re incredibly revealing. So, you can explore big ideas through these small objects” (NY Times).
If someone were to visit Mmuseumm, I’d suggest they observe the objects and reflect on how they may be involved in their everyday life. The museum highlights the beauty in simplicity, while also acknowledging the downsides of typical consumer items. Bringing attention to labor and social injustices present in the world, Mmuseumm is unlike other museums and sends a stronger message about human nature.
Works Cited
5 Dec. 2013. Los Angeles Times, https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-c1-small-museum-nyc-20131205-dto-htmlstory.html. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
6 May 2024. Thrillist, https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/mmuseumm-smallest-museum-nyc. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Barron, James. “This Tiny Museum Fits inside an Elevator Shaft.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Apr. 2019, http://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/21/nyregion/tiny-museum-new-york-city.html.
“Collection.” MM, http://www.mmuseumm.com/exhibitions. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Condé Nast Traveler, https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/new-york/mmuseumm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
“IS THIS MODERN SLAVERY? Mmuseum 2020.” YouTube, Mmuseumm NYC, 2020, youtu.be/gmok5Cx_6fI.
MM, http://www.mmuseumm.com/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
“MMUSEUMM 2020 Credits.” MM, http://www.mmuseumm.com/2020/credits. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
“WELCOME TO MMUSEUMM 2020.” YouTube, Mmuseumm NYC, 2020, youtu.be/cgFmtGDIju4.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 