Post by Ella.
After sweet, pastoral Vermont, we crossed the state line into busy Massachusetts arriving at the Mass MOCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Adams. As we wove our way around decrepit, foreboding prison-like brick buildings to find the entrance, I wondered what awaited inside.
The site has a long history. The land belonged to the Mohicans who were forcibly removed. During the colonization period, the site became a hub for manufacturing, everything from shoes (for humans and horses) to textile and cloth printing which took over the whole facility until the business collapsed in 1942. Next up was Sprague Electric, maker of fine electronic components. Sprague shut down this branch of operations in 1985.
In 1986, some brilliant person thought “ooh yes, this will do nicely for all those huge art installations that won’t fit anywhere else”. Like say EJ Hill’s Roller coaster (Brake Run Helix) or Sol LeWitt’s massive wall drawings.
Navigating the buildings through walkways and metal stairs.
