|
|
     |
|
|
|
By Jon Gerber
Calling all Star Wars junkies! The Minneapolis Institute of Arts offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the makings of America's most celebrated sci-fi series.
A few weeks ago, Technolog staffers were having one of our regular planning meetings. As we were brainstorming ideas for the issue you are currently reading, a cunning plan suddenly occurred to me.
"You know," I say, "Somebody should probably go and take a look at that Star Wars exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I think that might tie in well with the science fiction contest in our next issue."
"Well, since you suggested it, would you be willing to do that article?" replies the editor.
Concealing my glee, I say, "Yeah, I suppose I could do that." I had been meaning to go see the exhibit for some time, and once it became "official business", I had the perfect excuse.
Now, I'm a pretty big fan of the Star Wars movies. I've seen them enough to be able to quote significant portions of the dialogue from memory. I've read most of the novels and other assorted books about the Star Wars universe. A model Star Destroyer hangs from the ceiling of my room at home. In short, I am a Star Wars geek. As such, I had some pretty high expectations for this touring collection of movie props.
Before you set out to see the exhibit, you must decide whether or not to purchase a ticket in advance. Because so many people want to see the exhibit, tickets are sold for specific viewing times. This strategy thins out the crowds, but can present a problem for those who decide to simply show up and buy a ticket for the first time slot available. Of course, admission to the rest of the museum is free, so killing time before going to the Star Wars exhibit is very easy. In fact, if you have never been to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts before, I would highly recommend taking some time to walk through the other exhibits on display; there are some truly fascinating items from a variety of times and cultures.
I was feeling adventurous, so I hopped in the car after lunch on a Saturday afternoon and bought my ticket at the door. In spite of a fairly large crowd, I had to wait for only an hour.
I made my way to the exhibit area on the second floor ten minutes early, but a long line of eager fans beat me there. Fortunately, the museum clearly tried to ensure that waiting to view the exhibit is not an ordeal; a Star Wars documentary played continuously in a room adjoining the exhibit.I watched interviews with George Lucas and the cast and crew of his films, and before I knew it, it was time to enter the exhibit.
Audio guides to the exhibit are available immediately inside the entrance. Various pieces on display are labeled with a code that can be punched into a keypad on the audio guide. The voice of James Earl Jones then offers all sorts of interesting tidbits, such as where Lucas got his inspiration for the trilogy and how various sound effects were created. Ever wonder where the light saberšs distinctive hum came from, or how the signature scream of a TIE Fighter was recorded? The only way to find out is to rent the audio guide.
The exhibit is organized into three main sections, each tied to one of the movies. As I walked into the first room, home of the orginal movie (known to Star Wars fans as "Episode 4: A New Hope"), I was greeted by the six-foot- long production model of the Imperial Star Destroyer. Needless to say, it was a most impressive start to the exhibit. The sheer size and level of detail is simply incredible. Other pieces on display included the costumes for Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, among others, and more gorgeous models of familiar Star Wars spacecraft. The walls were also lined with storyboards, concept sketches, and paintings from the Star Wars movies. It was fascinating to compare the roughly-drawn ideas on the walls to the finished products in their glass cases. .
The second room is dedicated to The Empire Strikes Back. The props were divided into two main categories: the battle on the ice planet of Hoth, and the adventures on Cloud City. The Hoth area included the studio models of the Imperial Walkers and an audio description of how the battle was shot. The room concludes with models of Darth Vaderšs shuttle and everyone's favorite intergalactic bounty hunter, Boba Fett, whose costume is truly a menacing piece of work.
The third room, which displays items from Return of the Jedi, contains what I thought were the most impressive items. As I entered the new section, I was met with Darth Vader and a mural of the Emperoršs throne room. Vader's costume is huge and sinister, looming over the robed mannequin of the Emperor and Luke Skywalker. The room also contained the Millenium Falcon and the Rebel Command Cruiser, both of which are huge and fantastically detailed models. It was a very satisfying conclusion to the tour.
The hallway leading back to the museum contains a couple of token items from The Phantom Menace, including Anakin's Pod Racer and some conceptual art. Considering how much of the movie was computer-generated, it is understandable that there are few items to put on display, but I had hoped for something more. There is, of course, a gift shop for all things Star Wars: posters, hats, shirts, Yoda masks, and so on. In a remarkable display of restraint, I escaped with my cash supply undiminished.
Of course, there is far, far more to see than I have time to write about here. It took roughly 45 minutes for me to see the entire exhibit, and I consider it time very well-spent. In my opinion, admission to the exhibit is a bit expensive - $10 for adult admission and $4 more for the audio guide. (The institute also suggests a $3 donation for admission to the general collection.) After seeing what the institute had to offer, though, I have decided that the price of admission is definitely worth it. If you are a fan of the Star Wars movies, then you've probably already been to this exhibit. If not, go now! It is an extraordinary opportunity to sample a bit of cinematic history.
