Success @ The Failure Museum, 2022
'SUCCESS @The Failure Museum', 2007
Tempered glass panels, wood framing, plywood sheets, framing lumber or metal studs, paint, insulation, door sensor (motion or pressure), LED spotlights, flashing lights, sound system (speakers), audio playback device (CD player or MP3 player), pre-recorded applause track, control panel, electrical wiring, fire extinguisher.
The Museum of Modern Failure, an inventive class project from Carnegie Mellon University's Art 301, "Art in Context," began with a burst of creativity from undergraduate students. The project, led by instructor Jon Rubin, challenges students to craft unique art experiences rooted in the context of specific storefronts and neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.
In early September, the students took on the ambitious task of transforming a storefront with a history of failure—most recently a used computer store called Bookends operated by Goodwill—into a vibrant, temporary museum. Their vision was to build a museum that would both reflect and redefine the concept of failure.
The resulting exhibit, "SUCCESS @The Failure Museum," debuted in Spring 2007 and was designed by artist Jessica Gaynelle Moss. As visitors entered, they were greeted by a dynamic sensory experience featuring applause and flashing lights, intended to make every guest feel celebrated and valued. Moss’s innovative approach aimed to turn the notion of failure on its head, offering a fresh perspective on personal significance and recognition.
The Museum of Modern Failure’s run was brief but impactful, existing only until the semester's end in late December. Each semester, Rubin's class adopts a new storefront and crafts a project that engages with the local context, making each iteration a unique exploration of art's role in reflecting and shaping its environment.