"Wisdom begins in Wonder." ~ Socrates
A new museum has moved into Boston's downtown crossing: WNDR! The museum lives up to its title, which is pronounced "wonder," leaving all who enter left to wonder, wonder how downtown has been without such an establishment for so long when it is an epicenter and hub of art in Boston.
The Red Balloon had the opportunity to sit down with General Manager Giancarlo Natale for an interview. When asked how WNDR came to fruition, Giancarlo stated that the museum actually began as a pop-up by founder Brad Keywell in Chicago. The windy city was the site of the first brick and mortar WNDR. The museum has now grown to three locations: Chicago, San Diego, and Boston. The Boston location just opened in February of 2024.
WNDR Boston is run by 95 employees and Giancarlo reports that many employees are local art students. All employees of WNDR are called ambassadors as they are promoting and supporting the arts and wonder.
As for how the museum selects the art within its walls, Giancarlo credits WNDR's creative team who select everything that you will see within the museum. WNDR is always adjusting and what Giancarlo sees as unique to WNDR is that what you see one day at WNDR will not necessarily be there on your next visit as the museum is ever-evolving and exhibits do not have any strict timeline. When asked what the museum title WNDR means Giancarlo recalls when he first visited iconic Fenway Park with his father as a child to see a ballgame. He remembers the sense of wonder that he felt. He believes that the museum's goal is to transform guests, ignite a fire, and sense of wonder within patrons.
Walking through the museum it is clear that WNDR is an immersive experience. The multi-sensory exhibits allow you to hear, see, and even taste, yes that's right taste in order to fully experience all that is WNDR. It is clear that art and technology are interacting within many of the exhibits within the walls of WNDR. Among The Red Balloon's favorite exhibit was the AI generator in which you get one of many opportunities to be the artist. See below the art that The Red Balloon created!
See the WNDR for yourself in Boston's downtown crossing.
WNDR Boston's website: https://wndrmuseum.com/location/boston/
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