Tim Burton Exhibit Arrives at MoMA
Tim Burton has arrived at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
The visionary director loaned more than 700 drawings, paintings, photographs, storyboards, costumes and other cinematic ephemera to the museum for a wide-ranging exhibit opening this month and viewable by the public until spring.
Among the items on display were masks from the original “Batman” (1989), a model of the “Edward Scissorhands” suit worn by Johnny Depp, various marionettes and puppets from the Burton films “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Corpse Bride” and “Mars Attacks,” as well as doodles, scribbles and notes from Burton’s private collection.
“A lot of this stuff is just private, personal things that I’ve never really , you know, just meant for me or to kind of explore other ideas,” said Burton before attending a museum fundraiser Tuesday evening to celebrate the exhibition. “It’s like opening up somebody’s closet, I feel like, you know, it’s a bit strange. But also it’s quite an honor and I think the curators did a really great job.”
A few of Burton’s notes to actor Johnny Depp about his role in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” are also on display.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been given these various gigs by Tim over the years,” said Depp, who walked the red carpet with recording artist Patti Smith. “And to be chosen by him to interpret a story and a character. I mean, he’s a complete genius.”
Depp
and Burton have made nearly 10 films together, with “Alice in Wonderland” in line for March 2010.
“He can say sort of two-and-a-half words and nod his head a certain way and I know exactly what he means,” said Depp about their working relationship.
“Which is great, because you gotta talk to so many people all the time,” said Burton about making movies with Depp. “To have that sort of telepathy is really nice, you know? The fewer words the better, in my opinion.”
Burton’s long-time partner Helena Bonham Carter, with whom he has two children, joked, “I keep on telling him, most people are dead when they get honored!”
She also admitted that when she makes movies with him, their relationship does a role reversal.
“He just bosses me around, which is the reverse at home, I usually boss him around, you know,” she said.
Also attending the fundraiser were actress Brooke Shields, actor Danny DeVito, who played the penguin in Burton’s “Batman Returns,” and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, the young actress who plays the title role in the new film “Precious.”
What did it mean that she was standing on a red carpet with Johnny Depp and Tim Burton?
“It means the world is upside down!” she laughed. “Just the fact that I got an invite is a little crazy, but I’m super-excited to be here.”
The Tim Burton exhibit is open to the public at MoMA from November 22, 2009 through April 26, 2010.
Material courtesy of APTN.
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