Open today from 10am - 5pm

Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic

Exhibition Open Now
- MOPOP Permanent Collection
Included in General Admission
Open now through
Included in General Admission
Opens
Included in General Admission

Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic

MoPOP permanent collection, gift of The Jim Henson Company. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance © 2019 Netflix, Inc. © 1982, 2018 The Jim Henson Company. JIM HENSON’s mark & logo, THE DARK CRYSTAL mark & logo, characters, and elements are trademarks of The Jim Henson Company. All Rights Reserved.
A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION

Museum of Pop Culture visitors, unleash your inner fantasy geek and delight in history’s oldest form of storytelling! Once a way of explaining a seemingly unknowable world, fantasy still resonates as an escape from our everyday lives into realms of myth and magic. Explore the genre’s most iconic creations, like the Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz, or Lord of the Rings weaponry, or scenes from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Soundproof Rooms
Twelve acoustically isolated rooms known as studio pods, contain interactive devices, gear, and traditional instruments. Take a lesson, jam with others in the room, try out vocals, and learn about the art of mixing. Special reverberation technology lets you adjust the sound so it's as big as an amphitheater, or as intimate as a living room.
Trios
Each of the tall semi-enclosed structures on Sound Lab's main floor contains three interactive instruments, including guitar, bass, keyboard or drums. These instruments use sophisticated audio, computer graphics and MIDI to guide you through a variety of learning activities, whether it's learning to play "Louie Louie," or discovering what a 12-bar blues is. You can also choose to forego a lesson to play instruments on your own or with friends and family. Acoustically optimized dividers in each trio let you rock your socks off without disturbing anyone else.
The Big Drum
The heart of Sound Lab, The Big Drum recalls the early rhythms our ancestors played around the fire. You don't need any special skills to play it, other than the ones you'd bring to a conversation. Just listen and answer back.
Audio Technology Interactives
How do guitar players make such different sounds? Can an audio engineer really fix it in the mix? Technology has played a huge role in the creation of the sounds of rock 'n' roll, both behind the scenes in the recording studio and up on the bandstand. Find out more about the recording process, amps, samplers, effects pedals, and microphones.
DJ Hallway
In the hands of a skilled DJ, turntables can produce music that would have been impossible just a few short decades ago. Ever wonder how DJs make that scratching sound or move from one record to the next? Find out in DJ Hallway, situated in the back of Sound Lab.
Jam Studios
Check out the state-of-the-art Jam Studio where you can record your own song using drums, guitars, keyboards, and vocals, then download and share with your friends for free.
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2023 Inductees

Press your finger to the pulse of a revolution with a playable look into twenty rotating titles from around the world and discover how independent gamers are redefining their industry.

N.K. Jemisin
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Dune (franchise)
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show
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John Carpenter
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Currently Playing at Mopop

Press your finger to the pulse of a revolution with a playable look into twenty rotating titles from around the world and discover how independent gamers are redefining their industry.

Astrolander
Before Your Eyes
Biped
Drag Star
Empty
Floppy Knights
Henry Halfhead
Hidden Folks
Hill Agency: PURITYdecay
ISLANDERS
LUNA The Shadow Dust
Loddlenaut
Moncage
Out for Delivery
Purrgatory
Slayaway Camp
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Tenya Wanya Teens
The Light in the Darkness

Exhibition Highlights

MOPOP Membership: Totally Real

Truth: MOPOP members get access to special member-only events, discounts — and can visit the museum anytime it’s open, all year long.

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Exhibition Sponsors

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Exhibition Sponsors

Sensory Rating

Sensory impact is rated on a scale from 0 (no impact) to 5 (very high impact). Ratings provided by sensoryaccess.org.
1
  • Mellow Lighting
1.5
  • Rumbling noises
  • Intermittent bird sounds
  • Creaking sound
0
  • No noticeable scent
0
  • Screens you can interact with, but not required
0
  • No uneven or moving terrain

Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic

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Museum of Pop Culture visitors, unleash your inner fantasy geek and delight in history’s oldest form of storytelling! Once a way of explaining a seemingly unknowable world, fantasy still resonates as an escape from our everyday lives into realms of myth and magic. Explore the genre’s most iconic creations, like the Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz, or Lord of the Rings weaponry, or scenes from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.

Exhibition Sponsors

No items found.