Talking to Zoe Goldman of the Getty's All-Ages Art Podcast 'If Objects Could Talk'

With advance apologies to anyone this statement might offend, we feel compelled to say that there are just far too many podcasts about mostly nothing, produced by people who just don't really have the proper projection or exuberance be podcasting. But every now and then one comes along that makes us go, "Wow, I can't believe we didn't think of that!'

To wit, the Getty Museum's delightfully titled 'If Objects Could Talk', which mines the venerable cultural institution's permanent collection for unwitting...participants. With previous episodes such as 'Dude, Where's My Sheep?', 'Snake Charm on Your Arm', and 'I'm Ready for My Closeup Meow', it manages to be equal parts amusing, enlightening and in so many ways just plain awesome. Best of all, it's totally kid friendly.

The creative force behind it is the Getty's own Zoe Goldman, who skulks about the museum's corridors for inspiration (with a bit of help from her very learned colleagues), resulting now in yet another season of artfully amusing insights - infused with just the right amount of historical edification.

Throughly intrigued, tigernoodles engaged Ms. Goldman on what it all means.

Hi Zoe, congratulations on a new season of ‘If Objects Could Talk’! Can you tell us what the original inspiration was?

Years ago, before I had kids, I was brainstorming podcast ideas. I have always been inspired by the idea of the secret life of museums and their objects - from books like 'From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler' to movies like 'Night at the Museum' or even 'Toy Story'. Having our museum objects come alive to tell us about themselves just stuck with me!

At tigernoodles, we are always trying to encourage the appreciation of art as a genuine family experience. Do you find that kids and parents are listening to the podcast together?

In developing this series - from the concept of museum objects coming alive to the finished podcast - we had co-listening in mind. Data shows that a lot of families listen to podcasts together, whether in the car, when making dinner, or while making arts and crafts. So, we pay attention to both audiences - kids and adults - when writing and recording. One of my favorite responses from families has been the adults saying they’re learning something too in these episodes. Producing them, I certainly learned a ton. 

There’s a noticeable animal / mythical animal focus in a lot of the episodes. Was that purposeful and intentional?

To some extent, yes. We work closely with our curators to identify objects that our visitors already love, and often times those are animals or mythical creatures. Our writers Tocarra Elise and Claire Hupy also spend a lot of time looking through our collection and thinking of stories; and animals are just so fun to think about! Who hasn’t [sometimes] wondered what an animal wants to say?

Young people seem to be losing interest in art history, and history in general. Do you think it helps to make learning about it fun and relatable?

I have always loved history, I read every historical fiction book I could get my hands on as a kid, I studied history in college and graduate school...and now I work for a museum sharing art history with anyone who will listen. I credit first-hand stories, like those historical fiction novels as a kid, and then the archival research and old interviews for higher education, for helping me connect with the past. So, I hope we’re contributing to kids’ appreciation of the past, and their understanding of their own relationship to what has come before, by making stories that ask them to consider the objects and history around them. 

What are some of your favorite themes in the episode lineup for the upcoming season?

Some of the things from this season that I can’t stop talking about include our beloved cat statuette Purrquoise (released 9/21), who is always a charmer; how dinner parties were served in the early 19th century, told from a chandelier’s perspective (coming 10/5); and the origin of fairy tales (coming 10/19). The theme that runs across the entire season is the importance of slowing down and looking closely. These are skills that museums really help develop, so it’s no surprise our stories focus on that as, well.

So each episode is inspired by something from the Getty permanent collection?

Yes! Season 1 focused on items from our antiquities collection, while Season 2 focuses on things in the sculpture and decorative arts collections. 

Why is it important for high-profile museums like the Getty to encourage kids-and-families participation? 

I have two small kids, four and two, so I get that museums don’t always feel inviting to families - though I think most museums want to be. Even adults can feel intimidated! But as a museum person myself, I deeply love these spaces and want to make people feel comfortable there.

What is your ultimate hope for 'If Objects Could Talk'?

I hope this podcast helps model low-stakes ways people can engage with art: questions they can ask of the objects, ways to make a personal connection to them, and how to be a little silly with it all. Really, it’s okay to laugh at the art, at home or in the galleries. The objects we look at are specific to our collection, yes; but the kinds of questions they raise can be used at almost any encyclopedic museum where you’ll find similar objects.