Tim Burton, Art Design Film

There is going to be a “Tim Burton” exhibit at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) starting in November and running for several months.  In addition to screenings of all his movies, there will be illustrations, story boards and other work by Burton.  I am looking forward to this visual treat this fall.

Every Burton film is a visual tour-de-force.  He is a director who designs movies.  Or he is an artist who directs movies.  Or he is a movie art director for whom the visual storytelling is more compelling than the words.  And is best when he combines his muse with the music of Danny Elfman to create elaborate dances.

Burton’s connection to narrative is deep.  Go see the movie “Big Fish” to see what I mean.  It is a glorious paean to narrative.  The metaphorical language is stunning, as is the art direction.

I was surprised to learn that started out in the animation department of Disney back in the early 1980s.  His dark sensibility is much the opposite of Disney. On the other hand, it was a great place to get practical experience in animation, direction, story telling and design.

It seems to me that he had been very playful about his relationship with Disney in his own movies.  For instance, when I first saw the logo for his “Batman” movie, I could have sworn that the top center of the logo are upside down Mickey Mouse ears.

Even now when I look at the logo from the side or just zoom in on the top portion, I see those mouse ears and what looks like teeth on the bottom of a large mouth.  (Poster credit to D.B. Fox)  It is like one of those optical illusions where you either see a goblet or two faces.

Upsidedown Mickey Mouse ears?

It can’t just be me seeing the optical allusion in this logo.

The brilliance of his work extends into the marketing and advertising that surround the movies.

So here’s a big cheer for  the genius and sensibility and joy of Tim Burton and his upcoming show at MOMA!