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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?

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Filed under Architecture, Events, Film

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