MOMA Imagines Greater with Burton Exhibit

Over the past year Syfy has constantly challenged us to “Imagine Greater.” Though the phrase is all about brand recognition and promotion, it does resonate with everyone’s inner desire to “be” or “do” something more. When we “Imagine Greater” we commit to a journey beyond the realms of physical, mental and social confines. Christopher Reeves was one such man who dared the world to imagine greater. One episode of Smallville profoundly stated, “He made us believe a man could fly.”

From writers to social activists to doctors, actors and musicians, there is always somebody who has pushed beyond the ordinary to do something that is overwhelmingly extraordinary. Tim Burton is one such individual. As a youth, Burton once received a chastising rejection letter from Disney regarding his children’s book. His “Hansel and Gretel” short was pulled after briefly airing on Disney in the early 80s. Still, Burton warred against the rising of the tide to “Imagine Greater.” Now, decades later, Burton has earned himself a place in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) for his outstanding achievements as a director and his never ending passion for artistic innovation.

Before you enter the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA, you will see a wall dedicated to Burton’s directorial works, including such names as: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Walk past the wall, and you will be immediately transported inside Burton’s “Chocolate Factory” style entrance with a touch of Beetlejuice. The walk in through the striped tunnel feels like a walk inside of a child’s twisted fantasy or nightmare. The tunnel is adorned with LCD screens, featuring Burton’s StainBoy series in HD. It’s hyper reality at its best.

If all you know about Tim Burton is his directorial works for the cinema, you’ll be in for quite a shock. The MOMA team has worked diligently to create a full picture of Burton’s artistic life. His major feature films are only a small slice of that artistic vision. Burton’s mother kept all of Tim’s childhood drawings as well as Burton’s rejection letters from Disney. All of this and more you will find in this excellent exhibit. It’s clear that MOMA took a page from SyFy and Tim, and dared to “Imagine Greater.” In conjunction with the standard art exhibit, the Department of Film has also set up “Tim Burton and the Lurid Beauty of Monsters,” a series of films that influenced, inspired and intrigued Burton. By the way, Burton’s “Hansel and Gretel” short is screened in its entirety in the exhibit. The film is eerie and is far from Tim’s best, but the short will somehow mesmerize you for thirty solid minutes.

The Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA is open through April 26, 2010. MOMA is located at 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10019.