Tag Archives: EMP

October 8, 2013 · 10:42 pm

The Lure of Horror Film

October is a spooky month–perfect for a visit to the scary exhibit at Seattle’s EMP museum: The Lure of Horror Film.

Truth be told, I’d rather laugh than be scared, but I was intrigued by the exhibit. And despite not being a die-hard horror fan, I’d seen a lot of the movies featured in the exhibit, which made it extra fun to see the props used in the film.

The exhibit was curated by three horror film directors: Roger Corman, John Landis, and Eli Roth. They’ve put together a terrific collection, including a scream booth, movie artifacts, a shadow monster installation and horror soundscapes. Examples like:

The axe from The Shining:

A stick man from The Blair Witch Project:

The alien creature suit from Alien:

Props from The Fly:

Jason’s hockey mask and machete from Friday the 13th:

And a zombie suit from Michael Jackson’s Thriller:

One of the scarier things I found in the museum was not intentional. I took a few pictures in the reflective ceiling in the EMPs expansive atrium. The combination of curved metal and screws turned us into monsters of sorts.

Are you going to see the show? What do you have to be scared of?

6 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Events, Film

Tagged as architecture, EMP, exhibits, Experience Music Project, horror films, Seattle

May 12, 2013 · 8:15 am

Rainy Days and Sundays

I went to the Seattle Center with my hubby recently. It was pouring all day and we almost didn’t leave the house. But if you live in Seattle and don’t go out in the rain, you might wait 6 months to get out! So we went for it.

Here’s an example of how faux leather boots are a better choice than the real deal. These leather-look boots are practically rain gear. They look cute and they’re totally waterproof.

Umbrella: Hubby’s
Cape: Target
Brooch: eBay
Jeans: Goodwill
Boots: MIA via Amazon
Purse: Crystalyn Kae

I wore a cape, not a raincoat so I had to use an umbrella. Most people in Seattle skip umbrellas. We’re usually well equipped with our jackets and hats and we just don’t bother. Plus, the rain is often barely more than a mist. And while it goes on and on, it’s not heavy enough to warrant an umbrella.

I like the buildings in the area. Between painted murals and post-modern architecture, you almost won’t mind the rain.

6 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as boots, cape, EMP, fashion, Seattle, Seattle Center, skinny jeans, style, thrifty fashion

April 6, 2013 · 1:53 am

Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses

I thought the anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death would be a good time to share my photos from the Nirvana exhibit I recently saw at EMP (Experience Music Project). It’s technically April 6th now, but when I woke up it was the 5th–my day isn’t over yet. I’ve been listening to the band today, and these images bring extra meaning to the music.

In the early 90s, the grunge scene exploded and put Seattle on the map. Even back in Canada, at the University of Waterloo, I’d heard about all the great bands coming out of the Pacific Northwest: Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees, Melvins, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and of course, Nirvana.

In this era of Facebook, Twitter, and texting, it’s east to forget that getting the word out there was more grassroots in the 90s. Here’s a collage of handmade concert posters to show the way it used to be done.

Looking at the exhibit was a total experience. The whole time I was there I heard seemingly random notes pinging and popping over the sound system. Then I read that I was listening to “a quadrophonic serial deconstruction of the signature two-bar riff from Come as You Are.” Loved it! It didn’t sound like rock music, but it paralleled the deconstructed exhibit.

I looked at videos and mementos, sound equipment and instruments, and reminisced on the Seattle Scene (as grunge music was often called).

The life-sized, black and white photos of Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl seemed frozen in time.

It was a bittersweet event. For me, the energy of the movement was lost and it seemed like a mournful event, not a celebration. These guys belong on a stage, not a museum. But I’m glad I saw it. The exhibit ends soon so go if you have a chance. It’s a good way to relive your youth or get a glimpse into a scene you may have missed.

4 Comments

Filed under Events, Music

Tagged as EMP, grunge, Kurt Cobain, music, Nirvana, Seattle

March 28, 2013 · 12:00 am

Hendrix Hits London at the EMP

I recently paid a visit to Seattle’s Experience Music Project, a music-themed museum housed in a Frank Gehry structure near the Space Needle. One of the current exhibits is called Hear My Train a Comin’ and features clothing, instruments and artifacts that Hendrix and his band owned and used in London in 1967 as they were gaining popularity in the UK.

Hendrix is arguably the best guitarist in history, so I often forget what a style influencer he was too. He also broke color barriers and turned heads wherever he went. He would be 70 years old this year.

In the late ’60s, the London Scene was the place to be and much of youth culture originated there. Mods, rockers, dandies, folkies, and jazz-heads. It seemed London had it all.

Hendrix changed his name from Jimmy to Jimi when he landed in London. He was fortunate enough to find the music scene and jam with musical influencers like The Animals and Cream. After holding auditions, he joined forces with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The Jimi Hendrix Experience began.

Several of Hendrix’s outfits were on display at EMP. I was wowed with his custom, tailored jackets by Dandie Fashions. Why can’t men dress like this today? Add some color, pattern, and textures into your wardrobes guys!

This jacket was part of a suit, but Hendrix chose to wear the pieces separately. Good move! If you have a suit, the best way to freshen it up is to break it apart.

I never was a fan of destroying musical instruments–although it’s a very rock ‘n’ roll thing to do. But seeing the remains of Jimi’s guitars gave me an appreciation for them as art on their own.