Explore Big Bamboo at MFAH!

Immersive Art

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) invited us out to check out their immersive summer exhibit, Big Bamboo! And, we were so excited to be able to walk into the reeds and surround ourselves with art! The exhibit is Mike & Doug Starn’s first indoor installation after numerous installations worldwide.

The first thing you might notice about the work, once you take in its size, is the huge crest threatening to engulf the second-floor visitors wishing for a more intimate view. It is a true dynamic between using the confines of an indoor space with materials and shapes that are so clearly natural.

The Starns have lashed together thousands of poles to create movement and form. The peek-a-boo nature of the exhibit infuses it with a bit of mystery and fun. The trailing ropes are left to dangle in a cacophonous rainbow that elicits feelings of celebration, or is the party just beginning?

---

How to Bamboo

Getting There

If you plan your trip on certain Sundays your kids can get involved with some of the family programs that run each Sunday.

If the weather is good I suggest parking near the Glassell School of Art, so the kids can run a little energy out before turning on museum manners.  Take in the new rooftop garden and Brown Plaza which culminates with Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Column. From there you pass through the sculpture garden, cross the street, and you will be entering the lobby of the Law Building. When you walk in Big Bamboo is rising to greet you!

Tickets! Tickets! Get Your Tickets!

All members and children 12 & under can experience the exhibit for free.  All others will need to purchase a ticket ($13-18 each) which will also give you access to the rest of the Museum.

And, while you are purchasing tickets take an extra moment to download the Big Bamboo Spotify Playlist created by the artist and collaborators as they were building and creating the work.

Can My Kids Experience the Entire Exhibit?

Maybe! How old are they?

To proceed to the second floor and walk the gently winding path back down to the main floor your child must be at least 6 years old and at least 3.5 feet tall (no strollers or carriers).

For everyone wishing to experience Big Bamboo you must sign a waiver, wear flat, rubber-soled shoes, and be able to walk without assistance.

If you have younger children they will still enjoy walking between the poles of the bottom level.

Big Bamboo runs through September 3, 2018

---

Location

The physical address is:?5601 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005

Know Before You Go

• There are deep discounts available for General Admission: Children 12 and younger are free daily; Ages 18 and younger are free on Saturdays and Sundays with any Texas public library card; Bank of America cardholders are free on the first full weekend of the month; Active duty military members and up to five family members are free from Memorial Day through Labor Day; and, Thursdays general admission is free for everyone.
• There are two MFAH parking garages available. One near the Glassel School and one near the main buildings. If it is raining park in the garage on Binz and you can use the tunnels to access the museum.
• Get a lay of the land by checking out the gallery map. Due to the layout, it can be easy to miss things if you don’t have a general plan.

Find more Houston Museums & Eclectic Spaces