rubin museum of himalayan art

The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art is a cultural refuge renowned for its collection of Tibetan and Himalayan art and its ability to connect ancient wisdom with contemporary life. Every year, the museum selects a theme to reinterpret its collection for new audiences. In 2019, that theme was Power, a word that evokes systems, force, control and often fear. But how does a museum known for calm, reflection and introspection invite people into a conversation about power without alienating them?

Through our engagement, we reframed power not as a weapon or structure, but as a force that exists within and between us. That idea became the guiding principle and title of the identity system we created for the museum’s year-long programming, Power: Within and Between Us. We employed the circle as the central motif. It’s a symbol of self, of unity, of infinite scale. Alone, a circle grounds; in numbers, they pulse, creating constellations and patterns that mirror the relation of power to its subjects. We delivered a scalable system for creating environmental and digital applications that connected the exhibition, communications, events and partnerships, shaping how audiences navigated and experienced the museum throughout 2019.

Our work reframed a loaded concept into one of reflection and engagement, making the museum’s power-themed programming more accessible and inviting to new audiences. It reinforced the museum’s commitment to bridging timeless art with timely ideas.