There are few topics for a museum exhibit that could entice the young and old alike more than an exhibit about Star Wars. EMP’s newest exhibit features 60 costumes that span all six Star Wars movies.
From droid to Jedi and queen to senator, all of the major players are represented. While many costumes could stand in the exhibit for beauty and detail alone, this exhibit delves further, exploring the creative process of how the costumes were developed.
The exhibit includes many sketches of costumes, illustrating how much they change from original vision to final product. For example, Chewbacca’s entire character is determined by his costume. His costume is who he is, and when you see the original concept of how he might have looked, it is rather shocking.
Many of the accompanying materials, sketches, interviews with actors, etc. are contained in small tablets mounted to the front of each section of the exhibit. Don’t skip these. Not only do they provide something that little fingers can actually touch, but they hold a wealth of amazing information.
In fact, it was all of the additional information that my 10-year-old daughter found most fascinating. She particularly liked the displays that showed images of where the costume designers got their inspiration. Looking at these images, she could see how the futuristic costumes were actually grounded in real, and sometimes historic, dress.
“Of course, the Imperial officer’s costume looks like a Nazi officer uniform,” she exclaimed. “They’re the bad guys.”
She also enjoyed seeing how Queen Amidala’s headpieces were inspired from real Mongolian royalty. Amidala had more costumes on exhibit than any other character, perhaps because she had more costumes than any other character. My daughter was amazed about how tiny Natalie Portman must be. She kept saying, “That dress would almost fit me.”
Just as we were admiring the amazing details on Amidala’s costumes, we heard Portman’s voice behind us. The exhibit also features several video screens with looping videos. The videos show bits of how the costumes were made and fitted to the actors, clips from the movie that show the costumes in action, and interviews with the actors, designers and, of course, George Lucas. One of my favorite clips showed the first time the actors playing Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi got to put on their costumes.
Another section of the exhibit demonstrates how costumes help portray the journey of a character. There is a series of costumes that show the evolution of Senator Palpatine to Chancellor to Darth Sidious. You can see how his outfits change from regal and ornate to dark, shadowy and sinister. The designer talks about the use of textured leather to give this character a snake-like feel. To further make the point, the exhibit also includes sample swatches of the fabrics used in the costumes, so guests can not only see but also feel them.
Some characters only need one costume. Darth Vader stands alone, in his own room. He and his costumes are synonymous. With red lights shining down, it is a little intimidating to approach the costume. Since Darth Vader’s garb includes gloves and a helmet, there is no skin showing. His costume alone appears exactly the same as the costume with the actor inside. If you dare turn your back on his outstretched hand, you can check out the displays that provide the inside story on Vader’s costume.
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The entire exhibit is built for a full sensory experience. It is not just about looking at costumes. You can hear stories. You can feel fabrics. You can push buttons and illuminate lightsabers. Music appropriate to each group of costumes greets you around every corner, sometimes a little too loudly, making it hard to hear the video displays. But it still lends to the mood of the exhibit.
The costumes themselves don’t appear to be static. They are not just displayed; they are posed. The Jedi appear mid-battle. Even Padme’s costumes seem to stand with the same regal air with which she carried herself. Perhaps it is the positioning of the feet, or the reaching of the hands; somehow the exhibit feels full of movement and possibility.
This exhibit may be more exciting for some kids than for others. My daughter, who lives for the stage, loves the idea of putting on a costume and becoming someone else. My son, on the other hand, always has a touch of sadness when faced with the reality that his beloved characters aren’t real, but rather actors in costumes. He prefers to revel in the illusion that allows for magic and fantasy to exist.
While the exhibit does provide some elements for interaction, it’s not quite enough for really young kids. Probably the best measuring stick for enjoyment is if your child has seen all the movies. If yes, then EMP will make a great family outing. (And yes, dads, the metal bikini is there.)
Don’t wait too long. This is a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian on a 12-city tour. Lucky for us, Seattle is the first stop.
IF YOU GO
Where: EMP (Experience Music Project), 325 5th Ave. N, Seattle.
When: Now through Oct. 4. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (winter hours).
Cost: Adults $21, military $18, youth (5-17) $15, children 4 and younger are free.
Contact: 206-270-2702 or empmuseum.org
Kelly Rogers Flynt is a freelance writer based out of Lake Forest Park and parent of two. She freely admits to using a white sheet and wrapping her hair into side buns to be Princess Leia for Halloween a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
