Tim Burton Retrospective: An Interview with Curator Ron Magliozzi

by CH Contributor, 19 November 2009

by Anna Carnick

The upcoming retrospective at NYC's Museum of Modern Art explores the career of Tim Burton, whose talent has led him to transform often frightening notions—death, loneliness, the apocalypse—into charmingly approachable forms, creating strange worlds that closely mirror our own, but with all the appropriate Burton-esque accoutrements. The creative mastermind behind films like "Edward Scissorhands," "Beetle Juice," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "9" and the upcoming "Alice in Wonderland," Burton now finds his own world onscreen.

A fascinating review of Burton's artistic career, the exhibition focuses on his evolution as both director and concept artist for live-action and animated films, in addition to his work as an artist, illustrator, photographer and writer. Tracing Burton's creative history chronologically—from his earliest childhood drawings through his mature work in film—the survey unites over 700 examples of rarely or never-before-seen drawings, paintings, photographs, notes, storyboards, moving-image works, puppets, costumes, and other cinematic ephemera, as well as an extensive film series spanning Burton's 27-year career.

Given the sheer breadth and depth of work and the excitement of it all on view for the first time, the exhibition is a must-see. Bringing it all together for everyone to enjoy are the show's curators, Ron Magliozzi and Jenny He. In thanking the pair earlier this week, Burton himself joked, thanks, “for trying to make some sense out of my life so far.”

Cool Hunting had the pleasure of speaking with Magliozzi, Assistant Curator for MoMA's Department of Film, about the new show.

How was the Tim Burton exhibition born? What was the catalyst?
It has always been our mission to honor the work of the cinema's most important and influential artists. This exhibition provides us with the rare, virtually unique, opportunity to focus attention on a filmmaker who has created so much remarkable work that is appropriate for display in a gallery setting as well as on the screen.

The Museum of Modern Art Department of Film has staged approximately 80 gallery exhibitions on the cinema since 1939 (in addition to its film screening programs), including gallery installations on D. W. Griffith, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Roberto Rossellini, Ernie Gehr, Ray, Harryhausen, the UPA, Disney and Warner Bros. animation studios, British, French, German and Italian cinema, Yiddish and Black cinema, and in 2005 the Pixar Animation Studio. Tim Burton follows in this tradition.

The precise moment of inspiration came to me at a screening of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005). Early in the film when the Wonka character throws open the door on a Pop Art candy-colored world, I made a sudden comparison in my head to the Gothic world of Corpse Bride which I'd seen a few months before, and the looks of all Burton's other worlds, including that of his "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories" (1997), and thought, "We should approach Tim Burton for an exhibition at MoMA."

How would you describe the organization of the exhibit itself? Can you walk us through some of the show's major highlights?
Faced with the responsibility of being the first Museum to present so much previously unseen work from an artist as popular as Tim Burton, who luckily has saved much of what he's done creatively since adolescence, we felt our first job was to provide some chronological and narrative structure to its exhibition.

We've attempted to accomplish this by organizing material under “Surviving Burbank” covering the years of Tim's upbringing in Burbank, CA; “Beautifying Burbank” on his years as a student at CalArts and an apprentice animator and concept artist with the Walt Disney Company, including his early collaborations with sculptor and artist Rick Heinrichs, animator Joe Ranft and effects artist Stephen Chiodo; to “Beyond Burbank” for the years since his first feature, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" (1985), to the present, when he's called on a number of successful collaborators—costume designer Colleen Atwood, special effect make-up artist Stan Winston, character designers The Carlos Grangel Studio, puppet fabricators Mackinnon and Saunders and composer Danny Elfman—to bring his vision to the screen.

Which themes stand out most consistently?
The dynamic, ongoing relationship between childhood and adulthood and the saving grace of creative activity seem to be his most comprehensive themes. Motifs include a creature-based notion of character, masks and armor, body modification, and the Carnivalesque.

Was Burton involved in choosing works or installation?
Tim opened his archive to us, without any apparent restrictions, and left us alone to make our choices. We also chose work from the Disney, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox archives, as well as work from his collaborators without limits. Our hopes for the exhibition were exceeded this past July, when, after studying our selections of the art, objects and films we'd chosen for the exhibition, Tim spent several days contemplating our gallery and the museum's public spaces, and responded by creating seven new sculptural installation pieces that he then offered for our consideration. I'm pleased to say that all seven are now highlights of the exhibition.

This exhibit introduces the full spectrum of his work—beyond film—to a broad audience. How would you describe Burton as an artist?
Ultimately an optimistic one, whose recourse in creative activity in all periods of his life has been a path to success.

How do his different creative fields complement one another?
We hope that our show will demonstrate that they are virtually the same.

In addition to the show itself, I understand MoMA is presenting Burton films. Can you tell us more about this?
Moving image material is being presented in three ways. My co-organizer, Jenny He, has programmed two film series for our Titus Theaters, which will be ongoing through the five month run of the exhibition. The first consists of Tim's 14 theatrical features and two shorts, and the second—"Tim Burton and the Lurid Beauty of Monsters"—a survey of films that have influenced and inspired him, including work by Ray Harryhausen, Rankin and Bass, Roger Corman and Ed Wood. Thirdly, we are exhibiting Tim's Super 8mm and 16mm amateur shorts such as Houdini, the Untold Story (1971), Doctor of Doom (1980), his long-thought "lost" TV adaptation of Hansel and Gretel (1983), his TV commercials and music video Bones (2006) for The Killers, and an excerpt from the stop-motion puppet tests he directed for Mars Attacks (1996).

See more images after the jump.

Tim Burton Retrospective
22 November 2009-26 April 2010
Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019 map
tel. +1 212 397 6980‎

Equinox Fitness Clubs: Music Matters

by CH Contributor, 19 November 2009

Advertorial content:

Equinox Fitness Clubs go beyond neighborhood gyms in just about every way. Most places purchase music from a service or play the radio, but Equinox Creative Director Bianca Kosoy and her team wanted people to get excited about the music, so they took things into their own hands.

First they recognized that different areas of the club—lobby, workout floor, spa and locker rooms—require different music. Next they thought a lot about the various genres of music (classics, pop, electronic, hip hop, R & B, and most importantly what they call "discovery," music from new musicians as well as less popular music from more established musicians). The team also considers the mix, how much of each genre feels right, and comes up with a monthly playlist of about 600 songs. And, last but not least, they also take the beat into account; songs in the workout area are optimally at 130 beats per minute, for example. Each month Equinox updates a significant portion of the playlist with new songs, modulating the percentage from each genre.

Bianca feels part of the Equinox brand experience is to introduce members to new music. Some of her current favorites currently in rotation include The Silversun Pickups, The Virgins, Chromeo, MSTRKRFT and Black Kids

EQ Sessions, available on the Equinox site and iPhone application, features monthly highlights from the mix and September saw the launch of Sessions by guest DJs. First up was Madonna followed by Paul Sevigny, and next up you'll hear Sessions by Cyndi Lauper (who's doing two Sessions, one of her favorite holiday music), Laroux, Cher, Michael Boublé, Stevie Knicks, Tommy Lee, Dave Navarro and Jason Mraz.

Experience a music-enhanced workout with a no-cost, no obligation three day pass at any Equinox club.

Eight Alternative Deodorants

by Karen Day, 19 November 2009

Whether running to holiday parties or lugging shopping bags from store to store, this time of year has us thinking about how to stay poised in the midst of all of it. To help keep underarms fresh, we've put together a survey of deodorants that one-up your Old Spice with better ingredients, scents and packaging.

Lavanila Healthy Deodorant
Comprised of completely natural ingredients, Lavanila's Healthy deodorant mixes a long-lasting blend of polysaccharides, anti-oxidants, botanicals and varying essential oils that provide each scent's distinct fragrance. Aluminum-free and 100% recyclable, Lavanila benefits both the body and the environment. From Lavanila for $18.

Nuxe Tonific Deodorant
For anyone that struggles with sensitive skin, Nuxe's Tonific deodorant is a gentle mix of soothing ingredients including bamboo, aloe vera and Mourera Fluviatilis—a moisturizing plant found within nature. Nuxe uses an invigorating unisex scent with a powerful protective composition that keeps both men and women feeling dry longer. From Apothica for $15.

Fresh Sugar Roll-On Deodorant
Recognizing sugar as a natural antiseptic, the founders of Fresh use the organic ingredient's humectant properties in their Sugar roll-on deodorant. The sugar inhibits odor-causing bacteria, while the lemongrass astringent and witch hazel work as an antiperspirant—the scent makes us want to eat it. Get it online from Fresh for $18.

L'Occitane Verbana Cooling Deodorant
Tense situations increase the need for a deodorant that will keep you both cool and dry. L'Occitane's Verbana Cooling Deodorant not only prevents odor-causing bacteria but the formula provides an "ice cube" effect that refreshes and soothes the skin. It sells from L'Occitane for $16.

Burt's Bees Herbal Deodorant Spray
Renowned for their natural products, Burt's Bees herbal deodorant allows the body to behave organically while still maintaining a neutralized odor. The spray consists mostly of sage, a plant with inherent soothing properties and believed by some Arab cultures to make users immortal. With a woodsy scent, the deodorant makes a great pick for men. Burt's Bees sells it for $8.

Kiehl's Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant
The Hercules of deodorants, Kiehl's superbly efficient antiperspirant and deodorant keeps underarms dry with its powerful combination of aluminum chlorohydrate, propylene glycol and witch hazel. The unscented non-residual cream protects for 24 hours and leaves skin feeling smoother. Pick it up from Kiehl's for $12-16.

Spa Therapy Vegan Deodorant
Spa Therapy's handmade vegan deodorant allows the body to cool naturally, relieving bodies from a potential buildup of harmful toxins. Free of paraben, alcohol, aluminum and bactericides, the deodorant adds antioxidants, amino acids and protein. Spa Therapy sells it for $8.

Erbaviva Lemon Sage Organic Deodorant
Originally developed for pregnant women and babies, Erbaviva offers a line of organic (at least 99%) products, completely free of harsh chemicals. Their organic deodorant curbs the growth of bacteria without clogging pores while the sage, lemon, patchouli and tea tree oil extracts leave you smelling great. From Erbaviva for $18.

Fjällräven Store NYC

by Karen Day, 19 November 2009

What began with a young Swedish explorer's determination to build solid, functional camping gear, Fjällräven has been experiencing a brand resurgence with the recent U.S. launch of the 50-year-old company and their new NYC outpost opening today.

Expedition essentials and cozy Scandinavian sweaters alike pack the vault-like shop, Fjällräven's first in North America. Standout items include their classic, double-layered down jacket stacked along the wall like sleeping bags. The puffer, built for survival in the most extreme of climates, makes a perfect choice for climbing Everest or facing another winter in Northern cities like Minneapolis or Montreal (pictured below).

Other notable items filling the 1,700-square-foot basement location (formerly occupied by boutique I Heart) include Gränfors Axes, interesting clog-like boots, as well as practical Hanwag hiking boots, Greenland wax—an essential for their Oban jacket—and Woolpower long underwear.

Whether gearing up for the next trek or looking for winter weather vitals, the Swedish label—the name means Arctic Fox—has it covered. See more images of the space after the jump.

Fjällräven NYC
262 Mott Street
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. +1 212 226 7846