OVER the course of the last 40 years, Tim Burton established himself as one of the most distinct voices to come out of Hollywood, with a steady stream of hits.
Burton was the creative vision behind Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many more.
His movies, at least for the first half of his career, had a unique look that was partly responsible for popularising the modern goth aesthetic. They also often feature misunderstood outcasts, who either want to be accepted by society or decide to band together and create their own community.
Fortunately for Malaysian fans of Burton, Pavilion Bukit Jalil is hosting ‘The World of Tim Burton’ pop-up museum from March 21 to July 30. After touring through China, South Korea, and Japan, the organisers decided on Malaysia to be their one and only stop in Southeast Asia, and their last stop in Asia.
Broken up into 10 different thematic sections (not chronological), the museum features over 500 drawings, paintings, photos, sculptures, and more, all of which are authentic and come from Burton’s personal collection. There’s even a desk modelled to look like his actual workspace.
Fans will get to see some of the important steps in his development as an artist – from his humble beginnings as an animator – as well as how much preparation goes into making his films. There are even handmade models and conceptual art of movies that did not end up getting made.
Unfortunately, the man himself could not attend the opening of the exhibition as he had recently come down with a case of Covid. He was originally scheduled to hold a meet and greet, as well as a book signing.
Despite that, there is plenty to see and explore. Most of the art is not in big pieces, with some even appearing on napkins. You can really get the sense that Burton was always bursting with creativity, even from a young age.
One of the exhibits is the children’s book he submitted to Disney while he was still in high school, and from the letters that come with it, we know that he was destined for success. Though from the illustrations shown at the museum, there is a lot of trial-and-error that goes into any creative field.
Tickets for ‘The World of Tim Burton’ can be purchased here. Tickets are priced at RM88 for adults, RM68 for children and seniors, and RM48 for OKU. There is a season pass for RM498 that allows for multiple entries.
For those who want to go another level, the VIP Bundle which goes for RM1,500 includes the season pass, an invite to a virtual Masterclass (that includes a 10-minute chat with Burton himself), The Art of Tim Burton book and special signed merchandise. – The Vibes, March 21, 2023