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An iPhone showing the Immaterial podcast art for Season 2 - white "Immaterial" logo text superimposed on a close-up of colorful feathers.

Immaterial

5,000 years of art, one material at a time

About

Stories of the materials used in making art are often as thought-provoking and illuminating as the objects themselves. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Immaterial examines the materials of art and what they can reveal about history and humanity. Each episode looks at a single material, exploring the qualities and meanings that are often overlooked.

Episodes

View previous seasons
White "Immaterial" logo text superimposed on a close-up of colorful feathers.
Audio
Introducing: Immaterial Season 2
Revealing the stories behind the building blocks of creativity.
May 24
Detail of Adam's face.
Audio
Immaterial: Stone
Making and breaking legacies.
June 4
Sky with puffy blue and white clouds. A light blue sky peeks through the top right corner of the image.
Audio
Immaterial: Space, Part 1
Giving form to a feeling.
June 18
South-facing view of The Met exterior steps from the 5th Ave plaza. Sunlight hits the building facade, and the steps bustle with seated and standing visitors.
Audio
Immaterial: Space, Part 2
Behind the scenes at The Met.
July 2
Detail of a vibrant quilt made up of squares with narrow, rectangular strips of alternating colors.
Audio
Immaterial: Blankets and Quilts
Threads of identity.
July 16
Detail of lacquered tray with scenes from Virgil’s Aeneid. The section depicts figures fighting on horseback, ships at sea, and ornate floral motifs.
Audio
Immaterial: Chia
Beyond superfoods and infomercials.
July 30
Close up of ocean debris, including shells and rocks, against glittering black sand.
Audio
Immaterial: Trash
The archaeology of rubbish.
August 13
Detail of a guitar backside. The shiny mahogany wood has varying shades of brown, creating an almost marbled effect.
Audio
Immaterial: Wood
The most musical tree in the world.
August 27
Detail of a clock face with gold-colored accents, roman numeral numbers, and a counter for the date.
Audio
Immaterial: Time
Keeping digital art alive.
September 10

About Season 2

What is hiding in the material choices of artists and makers?

Credits

Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise.

Host: Camille Dungy

Production staff includes Salman Ahad Khan, Ann Collins, Samantha Henig, Eric Nuzum, Emma Vecchione, Sarah Wambold, and Jamie York. Additional staff includes Laura Barth, Julia Bordelon, Skyla Choi, Maria Kozanecka, and Rachel Smith.

This season would not be possible without Andrea Bayer, Inka Drögemüller, and Douglas Hegley.

Sound design by Ariana Martinez and Kristin Mueller

Original music by Austin Fisher

Fact-checking by Mary Mathis and Claire Hyman

Graphic Design: Mortimer Lebigre and Kamomi Solidum

Marketing, Communications, and Social Media: Ann Bailis, Meryl Cates, Claire Lanier, Taylor Latrowski, Jonathan Lee, Tiffany Lucke, Micah Pegues, and Gretchen Scott

Special thanks to Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong.

Immaterial is made possible by Dasha Zhukova Niarchos. Additional support is provided by the Zodiac Fund.

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