Why and how do works of art make us feel good? Bringing together nearly 300 masterpieces—paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos, objects, films, books, and installations—the exhibition “So cute! The Art of Happiness” offers a journey through our emotions across the history of art, from antiquity to the present day. From the emotional power of animals to the history of the color pink, from glitter in art to contemporary notions of “cute” and “kawaii,” it explores the emotional power of artworks and their ability to bring us joy and comfort.

Through a sensitive and immersive journey, “So cute!” explores the many faces of “cute” in art: the symbolism of animals across the millennia, the cheerfulness of putti, the history of the creation of the color pink in the 18th century, cuteness as a value in Korean society, stuffed animals as objects of comfort and care, the global success of Japanese kawaii, and the contemporary fascination with glitter and colorful worlds.

Interactive installations invite visitors of all ages to directly experience the emotions evoked by the works.