Award-winning podcast brings a Valentine’s-themed live taping to Mia on February 7, 2026
February 5, 2026
Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s award-winning podcast The Object, will launch its 2026 season of live shows on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with a sold-out taping in the museum’s Pillsbury Auditorium, featuring special guest jeremy messersmith.
Titled “The Object LOVE! Don’t Go Breaking My Art!” this Valentine’s-inspired afternoon blends quizzes, live music, and storytelling to explore the comedy and tragedy of the heart as told through art. The program takes an irreverent and insightful look at mythological couples—from Eros and Psyche to Orpheus and Eurydice—whose stories of love, jealousy, heartbreak, and passion have captivated artists for centuries.
Hosted by The Object creator and host Tim Gihring, The Object LIVE! series brings everything listeners love about the podcast to the stage. The Object is known for revealing the surprising, true stories behind works in Mia’s collection and has been praised by critics as “playful, thoughtful, and elegant” and “on par with This American Life.”
“The Object LIVE! is about letting art breathe in a different way, through sound, humor, and shared experience,” said Gihring. “Having jeremy messersmith join us to kick off the season is especially exciting. His music understands the emotional contradictions we’re exploring through joy and melancholy, sincerity and wit, and that makes him a perfect partner for this Valentine’s-inspired show.”
Messersmith is a celebrated Minnesota-based singer-songwriter whose work balances emotional depth and wry observation. His albums—including The Reluctant Graveyard (named one of NPR’s Top 10 Albums of 2010), Heart Murmurs (2013), and Late Stage Capitalism (2018)—have earned acclaim from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and the Star Tribune, which dubbed him a “Minnesota music hero.” His songs explore missed connections, cultural absurdities, and the transformative power of love, making him a natural fit for this art-centered exploration of the heart.
###
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.
General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.
For more information, call 1-612-870-3000 or visit artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.