Philadelphia Museum of Art
Our Task
When the Philadelphia Museum of Art was looking for fresh ideas to activate the opening of their “Matisse in the 1930s” exhibition, we saw a unique opportunity to connect the famed artist with Philadelphia’s thriving public art culture. We suggested local artists reinterpret Matisse’s iconic style into public murals across Philadelphia neighborhoods timed with the exhibition.
To share the project, we would co-produce a documentary-style episodic series with our long-time creative collaborator Robert Steven Williams, following the creative process and capturing key creative milestones from initial design stages through final installations. Our episodic series aimed to appreciate Matisse’s enduring influence by showcasing the passionate artists reimagining his visual language publicly across Philadelphia neighborhoods. Strategically optimized for digital engagement, our behind-the-scenes docuseries focused on visually translating the spirit of partnership, creativity, and influence that the museum sought to convey through this art exhibition celebrating Matisse.
The Result
Giving audiences intimate access to each stage of the project—from early artist sketching to applying those finishing touches of color—the final videos are a vivid mosaic of the passion that fueled this collaboration. The documentary-style cinematography and editing rhythms mirror the visual flair of Matisse himself, translating his aesthetic vision into shareable social content. Response has been tremendously positive as the videos effectively connect this unique Philadelphia project with global audiences—inspiring art devotees and city residents alike through Matisse’s continuing influence and the creative process that brought these Matisse-inspired works to the streets.