EMP’s Original New Exhibition Examines the Cultural Phenomenon of Horror

EMP’s Original New Exhibition Examines the Cultural Phenomenon of Horror

Can’t Look Away:  The Lure of Horror Film Opens October 2, 2011

SEATTLE— EMP Museum announced the opening of its new exhibition Can’t Look Away:  The Lure of Horror Film which takes an in-depth exploration into horror, its link to humanity, and how that connection is expressed through cinema, biology, history, and contemporary culture.  EMP invited some of the world’s most prolific horror film directors – Roger Corman, John Landis, and Eli Roth – to curate a selection of their favorite films that exemplify the genre and illustrate the creative power of horror film. Can’t Look Away:  The Lure of Horror Film opens October 2, 2011 at EMP.

“Audiences have been fascinated with horror stories for centuries, but its presence in popular culture is now more pervasive than ever,” says EMP’s Senior Curator, Jacob McMurray. “This exhibition will examine how horror film has evolved over the last century, why we as a culture are drawn to these macabre narratives, and how fear and horror are a vital component to our human identity.”

Through a combination of artifacts, interactive installations, and screening rooms, Can’t Look Away:  The Lure of Horror Film explores films from the last 100 years, and is a balance between classics and cult favorites, and domestic and foreign motion pictures.  They include:  Nosferatu (1922), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Les Diaboliques (1955), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Suspiria (1972),  The Exorcist (1973), Psycho (1973), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Alien (1979), The Shining (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), The Fly (1986), The Thing (1982), and many others.

The exhibition will feature a selection of iconic artifacts from horror films including:

·         Alien creature suit from Alien

·         Scavenger demon from Constantine

·         Jack Torrance’s axe from The Shining

·         “Gill Man” mask from Creature from the Black Lagoon

·         Bram Stoker’s Dracula manuscript

·         Script from Night of the Living Dead

Interactive installations include:

Scream Booth:  In a soundproof booth, visitors will watch a scene from a horror film and are encouraged to scream on cue.  A camera takes multiple shots, which are displayed outside the booth.

Horror Soundscapes:  Visitors will be able to explore basic music elements and scoring techniques used in horror film to enhance the sense of suspense and horror.

Monster Timeline:  A large infographic explores the popular monster archetypes in horror, why they persist into our modern times, and why they resonate.

Shadow Monsters:  An installation by visual artist Philip Worthington where visitors can see their projected shadows and watch them morph into monster-like forms. 

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ABOUT EMP Museum

EMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in music, science fiction, and popular culture. EMP combines interpretative, interactive exhibitions with state-of-the-art technologies, and educational programming to offer visitors of all ages a first-hand, multi-dimensional experience of the creative and artistic process.

EMP is housed in a 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. This spectacular, prominently visible structure has the presence of a monumental sculpture set amid the backdrop of the Seattle Center.

CONTACT INFO
325 5^th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
206-770-2700, main line
206-770-2702, box office
1-877-EMP-SFM1, toll-freewww.empmuseum.org

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Stars and Schedule Announced for Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition

Battlestar Galatica: The Exhibition
World Premiere Weekend
Oct. 22-24, 2010
EMP|SFM
Seattle, Washington USA

New traveling exhibition opening weekend to feature BSG stars, three full-size spaceships, costumes and props from the original and re-imagined series plus VIP preview and panels

SEATTLE, WA—Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) is proud to announce the Opening Weekend schedule for Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition during the weekend of October 22-24, 2010. Organized by EMP|SFM and in partnership with Universal Cable Productions and Syfy, Battlestar Galactica’s Opening Weekend will feature a star-studded VIP preview including Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), Michael Hogan (Colonel Saul Tigh), Tahmoh Penikett (Karl ‘Helo’ Agathon), Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek (2004) and Apollo (1978)), Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh) and executive producers Ronald D. Moore, and Glen Larson. Additional events include panel discussions with cast and producers of both Battlestar Galactica series, live taiko drumming performances, and other activities. The exhibition boasts three stunning, full-size prop spaceships, iconic costumes, new exhibition films, music and props from the original and re-imagined series. Media tours and VIP preview take place on Friday, October 22, 2010. Exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, October 23, 2010.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES at EMP|SFM

Friday, October 22, 2010

11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Battlestar Galactica Celebrity Media Tours*

5:30p.m.- 6:00p.m. Celebrity Red Carpet*

7:00p.m.-8:30p.m. VIP Exhibition Preview*

*Featuring Battlestar Galactica producers and cast: Edward

James Olmos, Richard Hatch, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh

Penikett, Kate Vernon, Ronald D. Moore, Glen Larson

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Noon-1:30p.m. BSG: The Birth of a Legend

Go behind the scenes of the 1978 series with tales from the original Colonial Fleet and invention of an empire. EMP|SFM curator Brooks Peck interviews Battlestar Galactica creator/producer Glen Larson and actor Richard Hatch (Apollo).

2:30p.m.- 4:00p.m. Sex, Blood and Cylons: The Re-imagination of Battlestar Galactica

In 2004, Battlestar Galactica returned to television, taking the sci-fi world by storm. EMP|SFM curator Brooks Peck leads a discussion with Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore and principal cast members Edward James Olmos, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh Penikett and Kate Vernon.

“This exhibition is the first of its kind for Battlestar Galactica,” says Brooks Peck, curator of the exhibition. “We dig deep into both the original and new series; explore the complex characters and storylines; and offer a unique presentation of props, interactive stations and educational programs that deliver the drama and adventure directly to our visitors.”

"Over its four season run on Syfy, Battlestar Galactica became an iconic series that not only entertained, but fulfilled the promise of all great science fiction. It provoked us into examining our world and ourselves through its politically-charged, socially-relevant, religious and technological themes," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Syfy, and Co-head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. "It is an honor for us to partner with EMP|SFM in this one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience BSG in an up-close and personal way."

Battlestar Galactica Vipers Dock at the EMP/SFM

Earlier this week, employees of the EMP/SFM in Seattle carefully moved in a full-scale Viper Mark VII into the museum for the upcoming Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. It joined the other full-scale Viper and Cylon spaceships as well as other memorabilia and props from the television series. The exhibit will run from October 23rd, 2010 through March 4th, 2012.

Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition—World Premiere Weekend: Oct. 22-24, 2010 at Seattle’s EMP|SFM

Posted on behalf of EMP|SFM:

Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition—World Premiere Weekend: Oct. 22-24, 2010 at  Seattle’s EMP|SFM

New traveling exhibition to feature three full-size spaceships, costumes and props from the original and reimagined series

SEATTLE—Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) is proud to announce its latest exhibition, Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. Organized by EMP|SFM and in partnership with Universal Cable Productions and Syfy, Battlestar Galactica features three stunning, full-size prop spaceships, iconic costumes, new exhibition films, music and other props from the original and reimagined series. Battlestar Galactica opens to the public Oct. 23, 2010 and runs through March 4, 2012 at EMP|SFM in Seattle, more information at www.empsfm.org/bsg.

“The museum is honored to be organizing the first exhibition devoted to both series,” said Brooks Peck, Curator of Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. “Battlestar Galactica is one of those rare science fiction shows that appeals to a wide range of people because it combines high adventure with very personal drama. It explores what it means to be human, and has a lot of fun doing so.”

Opening weekend (Oct. 22-24, 2010) will include museum member and public events with some of I’s most popular personalities.

"Over its four season run on Syfy, I became an iconic series that not only entertained, but fulfilled the promise of all great science fiction. It provoked us into examining our world and ourselves through its politically-charged, socially-relevant, religious and technological themes," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Syfy, and Co-head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. "It is an honor for us to partner with EMP|SFM in this one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience BSG in an up-close and personal way."

The exhibition will be presented in the Milestones Gallery on EMP’s third level. Battlestar Galactica will become a traveling exhibition in 2012 after its premiere at EMP|SFM.

About Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition:

Battlestar Galactica is an epic drama of interstellar proportions. The last vestiges of humanity flee a cybernetic Cylon horde, traversing the stars in search of the fabled promised land of Earth. The setting of Battlestar Galactica may be rife with spaceships and inhuman adversaries, but ultimately the show is a complex narrative about how we attempt to retain our humanity under desperate circumstances. The series acts as a science-fictional lens through which to examine difficult questions that we may encounter in our own lives.

Exhibition sections:

Creation of Battlestar Galactica

Explores the genesis of the two versions of the show (1978 and 2003) and introduces the story and central conflicts.

The Search

Focuses on one of the central elements of the shows, the human quest to find the lost colony of Earth. The Search is also a spiritual one, as the humans seek meaning in a dangerous galaxy and grapple with issues of religion, fate and freedom.

The Ships

Three life-size spacecraft from the later series—two human and one Cylon— are the exhibition show stoppers. Concept art, storyboards, props and films complement the ships.

Humans and Cylons

This section presents the major characters from the shows including: Commander Adama, Starbuck, Boomer, Number Six and the Imperious Leader. Costumes are featured, along with props and concept art.

Exhibition specifics:

• Three full-size (30-feet long) prop spaceships:
• Viper Mark 2
• Viper Mark 7
• Cylon Raider
• Series props featuring:
• 15 costumes
• Dozens of props, concept sketches and storyboards
• Exhibition films
• Interactives:
• Music interactives
• Human/Cylon identity interactive
  

Downloadable ship sketches available at: www.empsfm.org/press/bsg

ABOUT EMP|SFM

Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music and the thought-provoking ideas and experiences of science fiction.

ABOUT THE EMP|SFM BUILDING

Since EMP opened in 2000 and SFM in 2004, EMP|SFM has welcomed more than 5 million visitors through its doors. From its museum planning stages in 1998 through 2009, EMP|SFM has been a key economic driver among Seattle nonprofit arts and culture organizations, with combined EMP|SFM institutional expenditures and EMP|SFM audience-member spending resulting in $651 million dollars of local economic impact. EMP|SFM is housed in a 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. This spectacular, prominently visible structure has the presence of a monumental sculpture set amid the backdrop of the Seattle Center.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS

Universal Cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA's Royal Pains, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Psych, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs and Facing Kate, as well as Syfy's Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Caprica . The studio also produced the long-running series Monk and Battlestar Galactica. UCP is a division of NBC Universal.

ABOUT SYFY

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com) and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

MUSEUM HOURS

Summer hours May 28-September 6, 2010, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Winter hours September 7, 2010-May 26, 2011, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TICKETS

$15 for adults; $12 for youth (ages 5-17), students, military and seniors; free for members and children under 5

CONTACT INFO

325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

206-770-2700, main line

206-770-2702, box office

1-877-EMP-SFM1, toll-free

www.empsfm.org