"The World of Tim Burton" opens at Mori Arts Gallery on November 1st. The exhibition showcases the films and artworks of Tim Burton, the film genius behind numerous classics, including "Edward Scissorhands," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Alice in Wonderland," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Approximately 500 works, ranging from oil paintings, sketches, and designs to unreleased films and objects, will be on display in Japan for the first time. The exhibition runs until January 4, 2015. The works are divided into 10 sections. The theme of Group 1 is "Around the World." Tim, who often spends extended periods abroad, brings together images that emerge from his travels, captured on sketchbooks and restaurant napkins. Some of the works are sketches he made when he first conceived the characters for his now-world-famous films, providing a glimpse into the starting point of his work. According to the curator, "We haven't intentionally labeled which characters belong to which work, so it's fun to discover them for yourself."
Group 2 is "Carnivalesque." This section explores Tim's expressive technique, which combines the humorous and the grotesque. Group 3, "Figures: Male? Female? Living Being?", showcases Tim's personal works, which reflect his deep psychology and thoughts. Group 4, "Film Characters," explores the process of film characters, from the moment they first appeared in Tim's mind to the moment they appear on the cinema screen.
Group 5, "Holiday," brings together sketches related to holidays, which had a profound impact on Tim as a boy and remain a central motif in his work today. Group 6, "Influences," offers a glimpse into the predecessors who influenced Tim's creative work. Group 7 is themed around "misunderstood outsiders," who are often seen in Tim's paintings and films. The characters depicted in this section all have somewhat gloomy expressions, as the curator explains: "Even if the artist acts with good intentions, the results are disastrous." This is sure to move you.
Group 8 also features "Polaroids," Group 9 features "The Study," a cast and crew book distributed exclusively to those involved in the film industry, and Group 10 features "Unrealized Projects." Group 10 clearly demonstrates how Tim Burton perfectly conceived all the characters and stories that never made it to the big screen. It's no wonder that those who leave their mark on the future are somehow unique, even when they're still unknown.
A ceremony was held prior to the opening on October 31st, featuring Tim Burton himself and the comedian duo Peace, the official supporters of the exhibition. Ayabe dressed as Willy Wonka from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," while Matayoshi was styled as Edward Scissorhands. Tim appeared next, and the Peace duo offered him a handshake, but he glanced at Matayoshi's sharp-looking hands and looked confused. The two excitedly engaged in a desperate battle to secure a role in their next film. Tim pleaded, "I'd love to appear, even if it meant just travel expenses," and "Please call me if you're going to shoot in Japan." Peace then presented him with a surprise gift as a thank you. The gift, as it turned out, was a "pumpkin-opening" ceremony, featuring characters from Japanese monster movies, Tim's favorite. When the tip of a giant pumpkin-shaped object, prepared for Halloween, was pressed, marshmallows and ribbons flew up, filling the air around the venue.
The Ultra monsters Dada, Gankyu, and Pigmon, who were on stage with him, looked surprised, but Tim laughed happily, and when asked by the press, "What's the most fun Halloween you've had so far?" he joked, "Every day of my life feels like Halloween."
