TIM BURTON RETROSPECTIVE AT NYC MUSEUM OF MODERN ART. EXHIBIT OF GOTH DRAWINGS, COSTUMES FROM EDWARD SCISSORHANDS DIRECTOR.
Mark your calendars: on Friday, Akumu Ink and I will unveil our fashion collaboration! There’s something for both guys and gals, and everything is super-spooky-cute and affordable — promise. (Here, I’m wearing my Dubarry coat from the previous collection.)
If I only could attend one NYC event this month, it would be the Tim Burton retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Burton is one of my favorite directors; the Gothic humor and imagination behind Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Beetlejuice profoundly influenced my work. Tips: reserve your $20 tickets well in advance (many dates are sold out; luckily, I had four press passes). You’re not allowed to bring backpacks or large bags, so leave them behind unless you want to wait in line at the coat check. The exhibit will always be crowded, but there will be more space to breathe in the late afternoon.
I was surprised at the expanse of the show, which begins with his childhood years and goes right up to concept drawings of the Queen of Hearts for the upcoming Alice in Wonderland film. I felt I was in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory — too much candied goodness to see, and too many oompa-loompas invading my space! My favorites: Nightmare Before Xmas reindeers etched with correction fluid. Napoleon-like ghouls sketched on the backside of a cereal box. Silhouettes of the dead and living characters from Corpse Bride. The full Edward Scissorhands bondage suit; the white mohair sweater from Ed Wood.
The MoMA exhibit has storyboards, sketches and other memorabilia from all of Burton’s films; I forgot that Burton made Stainboy, Mars Attacks! and Batman. I enjoyed the pieces from his private collection (caricatures of friends, sad-faced dogs). Everything on display was slightly strange and spooky, such a hyper-color video he made about an Asian Hansel and Gretel.
I left feeling exhausted from the crowds, but inspired by Tim Burton’s dark, out-of-this-world imagination. Go see the MoMA exhibit before April 26th. Your creative (Beetle)juices will flow. (Thanks to Shichi for the photos.)
Song of the Day #283: Corpse Bride – According To Plan (One of my favorite Burton films.)
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