Yesterday I braved the pre-holiday crowds of upper midtown to venture to The Museum of Modern Art to see the fairly recently opened Tim Burton exhibit retrospecting his entire career thus far. The exhibition is on the 3rd floor and even though photos are prohibited, as usual I managed to sneak a few . Entering into the exhibit a long line of museum goers filter through a larger than life (door size) mouth with sharp teeth. I found a smile sneak across my face and followed through into the throat of the monster. The hallway leading to the rest of the exhibit has its Northern wall lined with video monitors that loop and feature early cartoon serials from the director. I found the shuffling crowd not conducive to viewing the short films and wished they had been isolated in a few dark rooms off to the side. Not having patience to navigate the crowds I zig zagged through and grinned a bit wider after being greeted by a large sculptural carousel illuminated by black light.

…………………………………Boo!………………………………………
The works featured are an evolutionary amalgam of what is Tim Burton. Sketches, paintings, sculptural maquettes, all line the walls and platforms throughout the gallery space. Being a fan it was somewhat difficult for me to look at the work objectively. I also had a hard time getting up close and personal with the drawings which is something I find imperative when looking at art. But for any Burton fan seeing some of the objects in person definitely carries a “Wow” factor.


Several original costumes and props including Edward Scissorhands, shown above, are present and seeing the hand-work that went into each stitch and “decomposed” fabric, is working proof of Tim Burton’s vision that extends beyond just the magical happenstance of the cinematic experience.


Mars Attacks is one of my all time favorite movies and I really enjoyed seeing the original character sketches and storyboards in person. Running into my friend Ted yesterday at NYU’s Open Studio event, he informed me that some bad press surrounds the exhibit. Fortunately I’ve yet to read it, but am sure I will, and was able to experience the show for myself both as an art lover and fan.

Tim Burton is on view at the Museum of Modern Art until April 26th.

“Bones”, The Killers, Directed by Tim Burton, 2006

More soon!
Xo

— Posted from my iPhone
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