Saturday, September 26, 2009
'Lion King' Costumes Headed to Smithsonian
Backstage: "Producers of 'The Lion King' musical are donating two of the Broadway show's elaborate costume pieces to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History."
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This article really excites me alot! It's great to see work in theater considered as serious pieces of artwork. Not to mention, since childhood the Lion King musical has held great inspirations for me. The quality and creativity of the puppetry in the Lion King is so impressive and was so wonderful for bringing puppetry to the American viewers, a medium that is becoming more and more accepted. I'm happy that years from now people can still see these wonderful costume pieces and truly never let the show die.
The temporary nature of theatre has always been very integral to the process. To take something that was meant to be temporary, and make it a museum piece may change a lot of how one looks at the piece of work. It's also interesting to take note that costume/puppets are the only aspect of theatre mentioned to being part of the exhibit. Costumes tend to be more detailed whereas a set unit may not have the detail that a museum requires.
first, i had no idea that the Smithsonian had an entertainment history section and second, I would LOVE to see this exhibit in the Smithsonian especially with the new additions of lion king gear, the lion king is personally one of my favorite productions because its brings back as sense of nostalgia because i grew up watching lion king and because the whole show was done in such an unexpected and original way, from the way that the dancers have puppets during the circle of life sequence to the high energy of the show throughout. i also think that its great that a musical's costumes are in a museum because art evolving in theatre is really important and interesting and i feel like a lot of museum goers would be really enthralled by this exhibition of costumes once on broadway and once used by performers
The design of the Lion King completely amazed me the first time I saw the show. I had heard good things about it, but i was not entirely prepared to see something that impressive. I was sitting four rows from the very last row in the mezzanine. Luckily I had set up a tour of the costumes with the Wardrobe Manager so I was able to see all the details which I had missed because of the distance. However, I'm guessing most of the audience would not have that opportunity. Its important that such an inspiring piece of artwork is shown and appreciated by the public. These costumes are more than deserving of a place in the museum.
Like Grace, I did not know that the Smithsonian had an entertainment history section. This is an interesting statement from the museum about how important art is to our culture and history. Art is connected in everything we do and reflects on the current trends, values, and political or social ideals. As much as I like this idea, I have one concern with the exhibit. Viewers, both in the present and in the future if the collection survives that long, must be aware that the pieces are just an example from the show. The collaborative nature of theater requires that everything work together to make the whole. While one piece or one area of design might take the brunt of displaying the world, it cannot accomplish this without the aid of many other elements which combine to tell the story. Preserving theater has always been a challenge because it is not only art in three dimensions, it is art in time as well.
Although I have never seen this section of the Smithsonian I am really glad that it exists. Having actual costumes pieces as a part of the museum will give everyone a chance to experience these shows. Even though seeing a costume behind glass is nothing compared to seeing it onstage these costumes will still communicate the show's ideas. And while people will have to travel to the Smithsonian these costumes will be there a lot longer than the show will be on Broadway.
I'm actually surprised more costumes don't go to museums. Maybe not enough people are interested in seeing them but they're all available through TDF. A friend of mine works at the TDF costume collection and handles costumes from lots of closed Broadway shows. It makes me sad that they all sit in storage except for the lucky few who get to be displayed in a museum.
Brilliant! The Lion King totally deserves to be persevered this way. The Smithsonian had an exhibit two years ago prominently displaying the work of Jim Hensen. The Met's costume institute also houses some amazing pieces; however, the actual space for showing these pieces is unfortunately small. The experience of seeing a stationary piece of clothing on a mannequin is much different from seeing it on a moving person. Your focus becomes drawn to how the object is designed and made in addition to the emotion it evokes. The practice of preserving and displaying crafts is nothing new; I love to see costumes presented in this manner. Most audience members have no opportunity to see these things from a vantage point closer than the balcony. This is wonderful and the Lion King certainly deserves it.
It's pretty cool to see that there is an entertainment history section to the Smithsonian, I never knew that. It would be great to see the exhibit once the costume pieces are added. I would have to agree that these costumes are something that started a new revolution in Broadway design that really makes them something special. As a Broadway show, the Lion King has become a legend at this point and it is great that they have been recognized for this.
This is so great for theatre, taking something that usually only last for a short period of time and making it timeless by putting it in a museum is awesome. I have never visited the Smithsonian, but if/when I do I would love to see this exhibit. I wonder how much is in the exhibit when it comes to theatre, if it is only the costumes or props that make it in or if sets are also a part of it. Either way it would be interesting to see the exhibit.
I think this is wonderful! I love that the popularity of this show has pushed it into the Smithsonian. The fact that these pieces are considered to be beautiful and historical enough to be put on display at such a prestigious museum is fantastic. It definitely sets a new goal for many.
It is great to see theater shown at a meusuem, wether it is through the display of costumes- mentioned here- or video, or photographs or models...etc. Preservation, in the momentary and ever changing theater, allows learning and thus better theater. To see these costumes lined up together with famous pieces of otehr musicals you can really see and feel the growth theater has made and see where it is going.
The costumes in this show are truely a work of art. The detail and care that went into each one is evident. To see these up close will truely be a rare oppurtunity, often in theater the audience is to far away to even see the fine detail inlayed in costumes.
It is great to see theater shown at a meusuem, wether it is through the display of costumes- mentioned here- or video, or photographs or models...etc. Preservation, in the momentary and ever changing theater, allows learning and thus better theater. To see these costumes lined up together with famous pieces of otehr musicals you can really see and feel the growth theater has made and see where it is going.
The costumes in this show are truely a work of art. The detail and care that went into each one is evident. To see these up close will truely be a rare oppurtunity, often in theater the audience is to far away to even see the fine detail inlayed in costumes.
I am so happy to see theatrical design pieces included in museums. There are so many art museums that usually focus on the stereotypical medium of paint and canvas. But theatre design is an art as well. I hope to see even more designs included in museum spaces. Not only will it bring the attention of the public to the artistic aspects of design, it would just be interesting to look at these amazing works up close.
I completely agree the with statements preceding mine. I feel that in this particular field, one that chances dramatically and is never the same from one moment to the next, the preservation of anything for a permanent period of time is vital to the expansion ofthe field. By exhibiting it in a way that shows the progression of theater throughout the years, it foreshadows the possiblities for the years to come.
There's certain things that are seen so often that they become their own icons, regardless of whether they're intended to be that or not. The first item like this that most people hear of the Smithsonian acquiring is Mr Rogers' sweater but there's an entire collection of similar items - the sign post from MASH, the Lone Ranger's mask, the stopwatch from the opening of 60 minutes, and even Kermit the Frog. The Lion King costumes are something else that are instantly recognizable and deserve similar care and preservation.
This is great! As a technician and theatre artist, I find it fascinating to see how intricate and beautiful the costumes and scenery can be in big shows--even if they're up close. Allowing people to see this sort of thing in a museum is a great opportunity for every-day people to also enjoy this beauty and understand how much work goes into creating costumes and pieces like this. Hopefully this will give a little bit more insight into our part of the industry, and also draw more attention and audience members to broadway in the coming years. Very exciting exhibit!
I had the opportunity about a year ago to go backstage on "Lion King" on Broadway. My neighbors knew the stage manager and was able to put me in touch with her. In getting to see all of the costumes backstage, the pure magnitude and detail on them is amazing. This is something that you would never notice seeing them being used during the production, but would make them look horrible if they were not there.
I also love the fact that this, while not preserving the full artistic intent of the production, will set in stone (well kind of) the production. A very big part of theatre is its non-permanent nature. While this is a big draw for many theatre artists, the fact that we are finding ways to make the art created for theatre more permanent is very exciting.
Since theater design is so fleeting, it's a good solution to preserve pieces of shows in a museum. The costumes for the Lion King are so beautiful on an aesthetic and a technical level, they should be preserved for their beauty as well as the complexity of their assembly. I saw the Lion King for the first time a couple years ago, and the opening number is one of the most stunning things I've ever seen in a theater. Since this show is so popular, a lot of people share that opinion and would appreciate immortalizing Julie Taymor's design.
The fact that the Smithsonian has elected to take costume pieces and other components from the Broadway Lion King Show in many ways validates for the public, that theatre is a work of art worth examining. In this difficult economic times, our industry needs all the attention it can gather so I am pleased to hear of all the publicity this story has received. Afterall, theatre is about of our culture and therefore our history. I am surprised that more costumes are not put on display in museums.
I would really like to see more of the costumes from Lion King wind up preserved in a museum. Of the plays I've seen, Lion King was the only play that made me really want some of the costume pieces. From stories I've heard and read about the costumes for Lion King, I've gotten the impression that they are incredibly intricate, down to a point where you can't notice the details from the audience. It's always refreshing to see art being appreciated for what it actually is. I just hope I get a chance to see the engineering behind these these pieces at some point.
As others before me have noted, it is fantastic that pieces of the Lion King are going into the Smithsonian because it feels like often the many elements of design that occur in major shows aren’t exhibited enough in this type of setting. Theater is an art, and while it is difficult to capture the live action aspect of it that makes it unique in a museum type setting, it is still important to preserve the aspects of it for future generations. I look forward to seeing this in the Smithsonian and exploring their entertainment history section, which I didn’t know about either.
This show is amazing and i am glade that some of there costumes are going to the smithsonian. this show has been running for a decent amount of time and the show is pretty amazing and the costumes are very unique. the other shows that are in this collation are also shows that have been land marks in American theater and i think that lion king will be a great addition to the collection. so i am glade that the loin king got in to the smithsonian American theater collection.
What a great way to show the importance of theatre to our current culture. I think it is great that theatre is making a pressence among all the scientific things happening in the Smithsonian. New people will be able to see them every day and begin to understand the art needed to create them and design these complex costumes. Hopefully there will be more things to come. It would be great if eventually, theatre had its own Smithsonian museum.
This makes me sooooooo happy. i absolutely love the lion king! I live near the smithsonian museums and have been to all of them...or so i thought. i never knew this section excised. i think that is great that they are donating the costumes. The lion king deserves to be preserved like this. It amazed me when i first saw this show. The designing is truly fabulous and the technical aspects are cool. one of my favorite parts was the stampede. they made it come towards you.
The costumes for this show are so well known and so appreciated that I think it is a great idea for two of the most notable costume pieces to be put on display at the Smithsonian. I agree that it is a great opportunity to keep the temporary nature of theatrical pieces in a place where they can be seen in their entirety. The Smithsonian is also a very dignified place, and it is a great honor for the costume designer to have made it to this level of recognition.
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