The EMP Museum (Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame) in Seattle, Washington has a new exhibition starting today. The exhibit, “Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film”, features original movie props and interactive experiences for visitors of the museum.
Per the official website, www.empmuseum.org, the exhibit is described as follows:
Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film
Horror films scare us, so why do we like them? Vampires, monsters, and murderers have fascinated audiences for centuries. Today the movies that feature them dominate the box office, reinforcing the historical significance and cultural relevance of the horror genre. Organized by EMP, Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film examines the pivotal role that horror plays in the human experience. Three iconic horror directors–Roger Corman, John Landis, and Eli Roth–have curated a selection of their favorite films, providing a solid foundation on which audiences can safely explore the spectrum of cinematic horror, from its inception at the turn of the 20th century to the present day.
Visitors will get a chance to view iconic artifacts, including the script from Night of the Living Dead, the alien creature suit from Alien,the scavenger demon from Constantine, Jack Torrance’s axe from The Shining, the original “Gill Man” mask used in Creature from the Black Lagoon, Bram Stoker’s Dracula manuscript, and other horror film memorabilia.
Interactive highlights:
- Scream Booth: Visitors are prompted to scream on cue as they watch horror film footage in a soundproof booth. A camera memorializes the moment with multiple shots displayed just outside the stall.
- Horror Soundscapes: Visitors explore the fundamental music elements and scoring techniques used in horror to enhance a cinematic sense of suspense, dread, and terror.
- Monster Timeline: A large infographic defines the monster archetypes of horror film, examines their individual particularities, and explores why they continue to inhabit the collective conscious of popular culture.
- Shadow Monsters: Philip Worthington’s interactive installation allows visitors to watch as their projected shadows morph into monsters.
Below is a video interview with Roger Corman published by EMP:
Below are some photos published by EMP of some of the pieces on display for this exhibit (click images for higher resolution):
For more about the exhibit, there is a great article by Florangela Davila at KPLU 88.5 NPR:
Jason DeBord