Museum Hopping: Tim Burton at the MoMA

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In honor of the number one film last weekend, Alice in Wonderland (which eclipsed the number 2 movie Brooklyn’s Finest by over $100 million), I decided to check out the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMA.  I’ve been a fan of Burton’s films since Beetlejuice (his first collaboration with both Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands) and Michael Keaton (Batman & Batman Returns)), but, little did I know that he has been a talented  multimedia artist since childhood, with hundreds, maybe thousands of drawings, photographs, paintings, cartoon films, storyboards, puppets, and memorabilia from his 16 feature films.

Upon entering the exhibit (above), guests are transported to the hallway of death (from Beetlejuice) with full episodes of cartoon World of Stainboy lining the walls.  I had never heard of Stainboy or his world, but, with his big head, bug eyes, three little hairs, and superhero costume, I was rooting for Stainboy to rid the Burbank streets of “super villians” such as the Girl Who Stares and Toxic Boy.

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Another highlight of the exhibit is Burton’s twisted sketches, such as his take on cupid’s true mission (below) or Cruella DeVille (with a coat made of live animals).  Burton has always brought his Gothic sensibility alive on screen, but his twisted sense of humor shines through in his sketches.

For fans of his films, there is a room full of props, costumes, models and sketches from his films including the Penguin’s baby carriage from Batman Returns, anatomy of a Martian (Mars Attacks), the Headless Horseman’s cloak (Sleepy Hollow) and a life size Johnny Depp in full Edward Scissorhands regalia.

In addition to his artwork, the MoMA is screening all 16 of his feature films (did you remember that Burton directedPee-Wee’s Big Adventure?) and, in conjunction with the exhibition, the Department of Film is hosting Tim Burton and the Lurid Beauty of Monsters a collection of over 20 films that inspired Burton’s artistry: “I loved the lurid beauty of these movie monsters.  They spoke to me.  I didn’t understand the world, and these films were somehow symbolic of the way I felt.” Be sure to see any of the three Ed Wood films that inspired Burton’s film of the same name (one of his 8 Johnny Depp collaborations).

And, for kids and teens, check out the Family Art Workshops, including film screenings, interactive classes, and Free Teen Nights from 4-8p every Friday evening.

Sponsored by SyFy, visit the Tim Burton exhibit at the MoMa from now until April 26 (Tickets are $20)