Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit

This weekend, Brooklyn Children's Museum will unveil a new exhibition, Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit, which invites visitors to view and play by exploring the complicated yet simple concept of opposites through hands-on experiences, art-making activities, and artist-led performances. Created by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with Mo Willems Studio, the exhibit’s opening at Brooklyn Children’s Museum marks the first time it will be on view to the public outside of its home in Pittsburgh.

Geared to both children and people of all ages, Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit will inspire every visitor to create and respond to art in their own unique ways. Based on the exploration of opposites, the exhibition takes its inspiration from the eye-popping, emotive, and highly accessible words and images in Mo Willems bestselling children’s book of the same name, and prompts visitors to investigate opposites through hands-on experiences, art-making, and performances.

Visitors explore opposites through hands-on activities, including:

· Drawing with a friend side-by-side where curves you draw on one screen are translated into straight lines on their screen - and vice versa!

· Moving translucent shapes on an overhead projector to create an abstract artwork, playing with light, color and shadow.

· Playing a melody, then turning the crank to change the speed of the music and notice how the song changes.

· Creating a small piece of art prompted by an Element of Art and an OPPOSITE, then hanging your work as part of a larger collaborative piece inspired by opposites.

“Opposites Abstract has been a great journey for me to think about ideas in different ways. And my goal with Opposites Abstract is for you to go out and find your own opposites and create them yourself to ask these questions,” said Mo Willems, the well-known children’s book author/illustrator. “Maybe the oldest member of your family and the youngest member of your family can create their own opposites and see how their art styles mix and are different.”

"We are thrilled to be debuting Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit to the NYC area,” said Atiba T. Edwards, Acting President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “At the heart of this exhibit lies the transformative power of embracing contrasts. We invite visitors to not only explore the intriguing duality of opposites, but also to harness their own creativity to pose questions and ultimately craft their unique artistic narratives. As we unveil this captivating journey, remember that the beauty of art is found in the harmonious dance of differences.”

The Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission to the Museum is $15 per person. To learn more, visit www.brooklynkids.org/exhibits/opposites-abstract.

About Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Inspired by the energy and diversity of our borough, Brooklyn Children’s Museum creates experiences that ignite curiosity, celebrate identity and cultivate joyful learning. Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. For more information, visit: www.brooklynkids.org.

About Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a place that provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. Our imaginative, open-ended exhibits and programs give families the opportunity to explore topics like art, making and social-emotional learning in ways that are authentic, meaningful, and most of all, fun!

About Mo Willems

Author, illustrator, animator, and playwright Mo Willems is best known for his #1 New York Times bestselling picture books, which have been awarded three Caldecott Honors (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!; Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale; Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity), and his celebrated Elephant and Piggie early reader series, which has been awarded two Theodor Geisel Medals and five Geisel Honors. Mo’s artwork has been exhibited around the world, including major solo retrospectives at the High Museum (Atlanta) and the New-York Historical Society (NYC). Over the last decade, Willems has become the most-produced playwright of Theater for Young Audiences in America, having written or co-written four musicals based on his books. The inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence (2019-2022), Mo actively collaborates with leading artists and musicians creating classical music, opera, comedy concerts, and dance. He began his career as a writer and animator on PBS’ Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards (writing). Other television work includes two series on Cartoon Network: Sheep in the Big City (creator/head writer) and Codename: Kids Next Door (head writer), Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime! (writer/performer), and an animated rock opera special based on Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (writer/creator). His papers reside at Yale University’s Beinecke Library.