The moment many people have been waiting for has finally arrived: Tim Burton is opening to the public this Sunday. And don't forget: if you're a member, it's open NOW. This is a ticketed show, which means it's ideal if you order your tickets and reserve your times in advance. Tickets are $20—unless you're a member, in which case you get two FREE tickets to the show. (The theme of this paragraph is: why aren't you a member?)
Tim Burton, Untitled (Edward Scissorhands), 1990, private collection, Edward Scissorhands © Twentieth Century Fox, © 2011 Tim Burton
In addition to the exhibition itself, we're also kicking off a Tim Burton film series tonight with Edward Scissorhands—a special 70mm print! Tomorrow night the director himself will be on hand to introduce Ed Wood, preceded by a screening of his early short, Vincent. Again, advance tickets are recommended. Check the film page for future screenings in the series.
You'll have one other chance on Saturday to see Tim Burton in person—he'll be signing copies of the exhibition catalogue and The Art of Tim Burton from 12 to 2 pm. The signing is limited to two books per person, and you must have proof of purchase from the LACMA bookstore in order to get your books signed. We have had an overwhelming response to this event and we can't guarantee that everyone who comes will get their books signed. The signing is first come, first served and will end promptly at 2 pm. One more caveat: Saturday is a members-only preview day, so only members will have a chance to view the exhibition on the day of the signing. (Again: why aren't you a member?)
In addition to the Tim Burton exhibition in the Resnick Pavilion and the films screening in the Bing Theater, there's even more Burton-related things to see while you're on campus—check out the giant Balloon Boy outside of the Bing Theater, the deer perched outside of Ray's, and the related exhibition Burton Selects: From LACMA's Collection, on view in the Ahmanson Building, which presents a variety of artworks from our permanent collection that Tim Burton himself chose to put on view.
For those of you want to see and experience more than just Tim Burton, there's plenty more to see and do this weekend. Film buffs, don't forget that Christian Marclay's The Clock is on view in the Art of the Americas Building, just a hop and a skip away from the Bing Theater. And next door to The Clock is the sublime and serene exhibition The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Courts of Burgundy. Sharing the Resnick Pavilion with Tim Burton is David Smith: Cubes and Anarchy, and across the way in BCAM is Human Nature: Contemporary Art from the Collection.
As always, we also have free concerts all weekend long. Tonight vocalist Dwight Trible performs in the BP Grand Entrance for Jazz at LACMA; tomorrow in Hancock Park Costazul throws down some energetic salsa during Latin Sounds; and Sunday night in the Bing Theater Ensembles from the Colburn School will perform classical works for Sundays Live.
If you're looking for something to do with the whole family, there's lots of kid-friendly activities happening at the museum too. In addition to the Boone Children's Gallery, where you and your kids can make art all weekend, Sunday is our weekly Andell Family Sunday, featuring free art-making activities for the whole family. Admission to Tim Burton is free for NexGen members, but tickets to that exhibition are required for accompanying adults, and reservations are recommended.
Last but certainly not least, this is a three-day weekend! And that means that Monday is a Target Free Holiday Monday. Tim Burton admission is not included, but the rest of the museum will be open to all for no charge. There will be family art-making activities all day, plus live music in the afternoon and gallery educators in select galleries.
Scott Tennent