I moved to the North Shore about a year ago, and learned about PEM while doing research on arts organizations in the greater Boston area. That’s when I discovered that PEM was looking for people to help guide visitors through their new interactive contemporary exhibition.

The job of Interactive Exhibition Attendant in the exhibition Kimsooja: Archive of Mind has served as a great stepping stone for a recent career change. Growing up, my goal was always to be a part of the art world. I worked toward that goal while attending The High School of Art and Design in New York City, and by later becoming an Art Teacher in East Harlem. Later, I decided that I would venture into the academic route, and I chose to earn a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work, specializing in trauma. But somewhere along the line, I realized that the arts is where I belonged. This job is providing me with the opportunity to dive back into my passion for the arts, and utilize the skills and knowledge that had become dormant. This exhibition beautifully ties together my background in trauma and healing, with my deep appreciation for the arts as a therapeutic tool and expressive outlet.

When I was first learning about Kimsooja and the exhibition, Archive of Mind, I was excited to see that I would be a part of an interactive piece that encourages the practice of mindfulness and grounding meditation. As a trauma therapist, I often worked with clients on practicing these exercises, in order to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress. I felt that being part of this exhibition, I would be able to witness the practice of these exercises in a different setting, one that is more inviting and less intimidating to guests. I began to see the thread that ran through the evolution of Kimsooja’s work and how she uses her platform to highlight the collective human experience. The various ways in which she has done this, while still keeping to a simple concept, has moved me.

One of the things I have come to learn while working for PEM, is how important each person’s role in the museum is to its success. I have come to understand how important my role as a museum attendant is for an interactive contemporary space. My job has been to provide education about the artist, her work, her art career and her intentions behind the exhibition. Without the team of museum attendants working this space, there would be a gap in precious information missed by the museum guest.

I have the opportunity and responsibility, to provide guests with this new experience and guide them through it. Guests are invited to participate by grabbing a handful of clay directly off the clay brick, they are encouraged to take a seat, and instructed to roll this smooth ball of clay in their hands. We tell guests that this process can be meditative, relaxing, and calming. Once they have finished making their clay sphere, they can place it down on the table, and by doing so, they are taking part in this constantly evolving, communal, art installation. The goal, is that they later walk out of the museum feeling excited about this contemporary style of art, and how they were able to contribute and participate in it. The unique experience about an interactive art space, is that the attendants, are able to witness the reactions that our guests have to the artwork and concept. I have come to really enjoy the curiosity that radiates from both children and adults, as they enter the exhibition space. Their eyes grow wide, their mouths open in astonishment and surprise, and their bodies gravitate toward the display.