The Museum of the Moving Image is embarking on a core exhibition redesign project in order to attract visitors to its futuristic building in Queens’ Astoria neighborhood. To spearhead this endeavor, the museum has appointed Aziz Isham, a nonprofit executive, as its next director, following the departure of Carl Goodman. While Isham does not have museum experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge as a film producer and his involvement in starting the television program at BRIC, an arts organization in Brooklyn.
Isham will assume his role in October, leaving behind his current position as executive director of the arts nonprofit Twenty Summers. Reflecting on his new appointment, Isham expressed his enthusiasm for the Museum of the Moving Image, stating, “I can’t think of a more relevant New York institution and a better place to make sense of the present and figure out our future. As the world of the moving image transforms, we’ve got this opportunity to redesign how the museum engages with the public.”
When the Museum of the Moving Image first opened its doors in 1988, its focus was primarily on television and movies, given its location on the former grounds of a Paramount studio where the Marx Brothers once filmed. However, Isham believes that the definition of “moving images” has evolved with the advent of video games, social media, and artificial intelligence. He remarked, “The moving image is how we define our time and wrestle with our future.”
The museum’s board is fully supportive of Isham’s vision, with Ivan Lustig, one of the organization’s chairmen, confirming that they are willing to increase the museum’s budget of $7.9 million to hire additional staff and enhance the capabilities needed to bring Isham’s vision to life. While plans for the core exhibition are still in the early stages, Lustig has been contemplating the shape it might take, suggesting that televisions and cameras, which currently dominate the second floor, may be condensed to make room for a greater focus on digital images.
Although the museum has earned a reputation for its exhibitions on video games and artificial intelligence ahead of its academic peers, Lustig acknowledges that certain aspects of contemporary culture, such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, have yet to be adequately addressed. He emphasized the importance of not only keeping up with exhibition technology but also effectively conveying its impact on society.
Isham recognizes the challenge of creating a museum that not only tells the story of the past but also anticipates the future. He poses the question, “How do we not just tell the story of where we have been, but tell the story of where we are going?” This aspiration to remain forward-thinking and relevant sets the stage for an exciting and innovative future for the Museum of the Moving Image.
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