In Tim Burton’s film, Mars Attacks! Las Vegas (among other cities) is invaded and destroyed by Martians and maybe a little bit by Jack Nicholson too. But now, over two decades after that movie came out, Tim Burton has taken over the Neon Museum in Las Vegas with Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum
What’s Happening:
- Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum, presented by the Engelstad Foundation, is now open.
- The exhibition’s opening festivities included the Boneyard Ball at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, where Burton was honored with The Neon Museum’s GLOW Award and guests enjoyed a performance by The Killers. Burton also spoke at a news conference preceding the public opening of the exhibition and signed 500 copies of his books for fans.
- Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum comprises sculptural and digital installations celebrating Burton’s links to Las Vegas and its historical neon heritage. These artworks, many of which are site-specific creations, will be displayed in the Neon Boneyard and incorporated into Brilliant!, the museum’s permanent projection mapping North Gallery installation.
- Works play with the museum’s landmark sign collection, which was prominently featured in Burton’s 1996 film Mars Attacks! This irreverent homage to the sci-fi B-movies of the 1950s and 1960s and the disaster films of the 1970s unleashed gleefully destructive alien invaders upon gamblers, casino workers and Tom Jones.
- The presentation of Burton’s art in Las Vegas represents a unique experience where the host institution also serves as creative inspiration. The museum’s distinctive campus will be transformed through the artist’s singular vision for this original exhibition of new work as well as previously exhibited pieces.
- Tim Burton is widely regarded as one of cinema’s most imaginative and visual filmmakers. He has achieved both critical and financial success in the live-action and animation genres. Burton’s accomplishments in filmmaking are a consequence of his artistic eye. Long before becoming a director, he expressed himself through drawing and painting, which also became an integral part of his creative process. Burton’s past exhibitions have drawn millions of patrons around the world in cities such as Melbourne, Los Angeles, Paris, Prague, Tokyo, São Paulo and Mexico City. His exhibition at MoMA in New York City drew more than 800,000 visitors, making it the third most attended exhibition ever.
- Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum will be on view through Feb. 15, 2020. Advance reservations are recommended; general admission to the Neon Museum Boneyard is $30 and admission to Brilliant! is $24.
