Educational Media Reviews Online

This film tells the story of an alternative art collective based in Santa Fe, New Mexico that creates innovative multimedia and immersive art experiences and developed into a profitable success of unexpected size.

The film director has been part of this group for some time which allows her to unfold the story of this accomplished collaborative in an exciting close-up way, mostly through interviews and first-person accounts of the people who made it happen. The creative process of several projects is documented, as well as the human interactions and group discussions it took to make this all happen.

Being an artist can be a lonely and challenging undertaking, especially if one tries to make a living with art. Hardly anyone gets to show their work in the local upscale art galleries. Meow Wolf is a venue for artists to get a voice outside the established art market. Being part of a group can be inspiring but has its own trials and tribulations, especially when the art itself becomes a product of multiple individuals creating together, as is the case with Meow Wolf. Decisions must be made when sharing a space, compromises accepted when working on a group project. In the beginning, these oversize art installations were temporary, so future endeavors needed to be developed together. First, there are no leaders in this originally anarchic arrangement of radical inclusiveness. Then, personalities evolve that drive Meow Wolf forward to their maintainable existence. But the overreaching credo remains to allow for “an insanely wide range of aesthetic dimensions without factory style development.”

As much as this film is about the astounding art that this group creates – mostly from ‘trash’, it also reflects on autonomy, self-expression and the meaning of art and of being an artist, individually and as a group. The process seems like an ongoing experiment of collaboration without rules or hierarchy, walking the fine line of independent spirits and creativity versus managing a viable venue for a group of people who dream together.

Meow Wolf is fascinating as an original art form as well as a radically different way of working together and running a business that is truly inclusive. It lends itself well for class discussions and inspiration not only in art classes but for everyone interested in the power of a creative group dynamic. This art would not exist without its participating audience, and the film documents very well how creativity can change the world when we follow our imagination rather than some set rules.

Awards:

World Premiere at SXSW Film Festival 2018; Official Selection for Bend Film Festival 2018; Denver Film Festival 2018

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