Wes Anderson’s Archives to Debut at London’s Design Museum

3 min read

The Design Museum in London will showcase Wes Anderson’s Archives starting November 21, featuring around 600 objects including models, costumes, and personal notebooks. It’s the first major exhibition of its kind, reflecting Anderson’s meticulous collection process over 30 years. Highlights include a model from The Grand Budapest Hotel and props from various films.

Wes Anderson fans, get ready! The Design Museum in London is gearing up for a major exhibition featuring the director’s impressive archives. Opening on November 21, this marks the first extensive museum display dedicated solely to Anderson’s extensive work. Curators have been granted, as they say, unprecedented access to Anderson’s meticulously preserved collection.

The showcase will boast around 600 objects, among which is the stunning model of the Grand Budapest Hotel. This impressive three-metre wide model was used for filming the hotel facade in Anderson’s beloved 2014 film. The exhibition promises more than just the hotel, including vending machines from the 2023 release Asteroid City, quirky stop-motion puppets from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and even Gwenyth Paltrow’s iconic Fendi coat from The Royal Tenenbaums.

For those curious about Anderson’s creative process, visitors can look forward to personal notebooks containing sketches and notes. “Every single object in a Wes Anderson film is very personal to him,” shares Lucia Savi, co-curator of the exhibition. She emphasises that these are not just mere props, but are integral works of art that breathe life into his whimsical worlds.

Anderson has been collecting items from his films for nearly 30 years. His journey started after realising that props from his debut film, Bottle Rocket, were auctioned off by the production company. As he progressed to his next film, Rushmore, he took charge of ensuring that every handcrafted piece was preserved. This proactive approach has led to a remarkable collection comprising thousands of items, many of which have remained unseen in storage until now.

“It is an absolute gift that even as a young filmmaker, Wes Anderson had the vision and foresight to save all his props and beautifully crafted objects for his own archive,” reflects Johanna Agerman Ross, Chief Curator at the museum. It seems clear that this exhibition will be a treasure trove for both diehard fans of Anderson’s work and those curious about the artistry that shapes his films.

Wes Anderson’s Archives at the Design Museum promises to be a unique insight into the director’s creative world, showcasing around 600 meticulously preserved objects, models, and personal notes. This is a rare opportunity to experience his artistic vision like never before, as it will make its public debut after over three decades in private care. Don’t miss it when it opens on November 21, 2023!

Original Source: hypebeast.com