A dynamic traveling exhibition displaying hundreds of vintage toys, games and more from both the US and the former Soviet Union. The exhibit reflects how the real-world drama and intrigue of international espionage, and the fascination with outer space, seeped into American and Soviet popular culture during the Cold War era.
Highlighting the years after World War II, from 1946 – 1991, when the United States and the Russian Soviet Union were dubbed ‘superpowers’. As each country vied for dominance, the innovations and scientific advancement became enticements for illicit espionage activity. Both the US and the USSR sought to demonstrate their supremacy by initiating a race to outer space, conducting covert espionage and building up immense nuclear arsenals.
‘Spies and Space’ features toys, games, posters, and more – from both the US and USSR – and contextualizes these pop culture items in relation to the social and political tensions of that time. All items are from SuperMonster市City! co-founder David Barnhill’s personal collection.
Real-world activities like the Soviet Space program launching the first woman in space, American Sally Ride, as well as prisoner exchanges on Berlin’s ‘bridge of spies’, inspired popular culture.
Space travelers, aliens, spies, and emerging technologies sparked the imaginations of children and adults alike, and were reflected in TV and film franchises. From ‘James Bond‘ and ‘Star Wars‘ films to TV programs such as ‘Lost in Space’, ‘Man from U.N.C.L.E’, ‘Get Smart’, ‘Star Trek’, ‘Outer Limits’ and more, predominated from the 1960’s through the 1980’s and beyond.
Characters like James Bond, Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura, Major Matt Mason inspired children.
Join us as we look back on how the toys, games, and posters representing space travelers, aliens, spies, scientific discoveries, spy gadgets and more, reflecting the tensions of the Cold War Era in America.
EXHIBITON CONTENTS
- All items are from the US, the former Soviet Union and Soviet Bloc countries
- (150) toys, figures, models, games, trading cards and packaging from the 1960s-80s
- Original comic books, posters, packaging, photos and more of spies, space, aliens, and robots from 1960s-80s
- (20) Framed posters, photos, and other artifacts relating to significant historical events of the Cold War era
- (7) Framed didactics presenting an overview of the Cold War Era, the Space Race and Spy Craze from 1960s-80s
- (10) Framed didactics profiles of fictional characters, authors, artists, real world spies and space explorers
- (3) Media files containing film trailers, television commercials, and more (monitors not included)
- A sample press release and photos, registrar’s packet, object label file.
- Display cases are NOT included
- SPACE REQUIREMENTS:
- Exhibition scales from 750 – 2,000 square feet and requires a minimum 50 running feet wall space
- FEE:
- $18,000 for 12 weeks; $1,000/week for additional weeks;
- Plus shipping, insurance, and travel expenses for installation/deinstallation team
- SHIPPING: (2) 42″ x 48″ pallets weighing less than 500 pounds
- INSURANCE: $50,000 coverage required in transit and on location
- AVAILABILITY: This exhibition is booked from February 2024 to January 2025 at museums in Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Michigan and is designed for smaller spaces and budgets.
- Availability from January 2025 and beyond.
MERCHANDISE: Stickers, pins, books, jigsaw puzzles. Merchandise is provided upon request, with the proceeds after cost split with the venue. Unsold items are returned to SuperMonster市City! at no cost to the booking venue.
