Step inside a world where color, light, and reflection collide in breathtaking harmony. Artist Jeffrey Gibson’s immersive installation, “POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT”, reimagines MASS MoCA’s iconic Building 5 as a celebration of identity, scale, and transformation. Through a powerful visual language of mirrored surfaces and vibrant hues, Gibson invites viewers to experience difference not as division—but as strength.
To realize this ambitious vision, MASS MoCA turned to Decorative Films as a creative partner, utilizing our Custom Film Services, which caters to unique designs that demand additional care for installations beyond our standard scope. Together, we developed a custom optically clear film solution applied over monumental mirrored plexiglass, preserving the integrity of the artist’s design while overcoming significant material challenges. This behind-the-scenes journey documents how innovation, collaboration, and trust empowered one of today’s most important artists to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible at scale.
In-Depth Commentary
"Jeffrey is an artist whose work I had been following for many years, and I went to his studio for the first time. One day he came on site to look at the galleries, and we sat on the stairs of building five, which is our signature space. It's the length of a football field.
We like to start from nothing with an artist, and really build a relationship with them. So we got to work with Jeffrey closely to conceive what the whole project would be—researching the feasibility of all these different approaches. Laser cutting or CNC and colored mirror or plexi, finding various options to print directly onto plexiglass or glass.
Our window vinyl installer recommended Decorative Films, saying there is actually an optically clear solution. When we were talking about the laser cutting idea, it would have meant much more labor and a huge cost. I remember we showed the material to Jeffrey and he loved it. By putting that optically clear film over the mirrored plexi, it creates a depth to the image.
I remember when the first one went down, we were all like, "Woah." It was a very exciting moment. That allowed him to really be able to stretch the design in the way that he wanted to. He could really push the boundaries of how he had used color and pattern—like never before.
Jeffrey represented the United States at the Venice Biennial—a huge honor. It was the first time an Indigenous artist was ever asked to do that in a solo show. The closing of that show coincided with our installation, so he had to be away for part of the install. But when he came back, watching his face when he walked into the room—he was just like, “It's more than I ever could have imagined.”
We have to work at a scale that you can never see until you're in the building. To be able to do it at that scale was incredible. If we were piecing things together, we would have had to start two years earlier. From day one, Jeffrey always said, “I want this show to be an experience, not an exhibition.”
Being able to have this surface area that is reflective—but not just pure mirror—slows people down. When people can see the end, they rush to get to it, even though there's all this incredible stuff along the way. This did more than solve the challenge. It created a whole layer of the exhibition that we didn't know was possible."
“POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT” is more than an installation—it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when creative vision meets technical innovation. We’re honored to have partnered with Jeffrey Gibson and MASS MoCA to help bring this extraordinary project to life. At Decorative Films, we’re always exploring new ways to support bold ideas and amplify artistic expression through material innovation.
To explore more of our work in the arts and architecture, or to learn how our custom film solutions can bring your vision to life, get in touch with our team.
🎨 Artist: Jeffrey Gibson
🏛️ Institution: MASS MoCA
🤝 Creative Partner: Decorative Films
🧠 Curator: Denise Markonish
📐 Director of Exhibitions: Spencer Byrne-Seres
📸 Video Production: Decorative Films
🎥 Behind the Scenes / Installation Photos: MASS MoCA