You Can Tour Tim Burton's Exhibit at Las Vegas's Neon Museum From Home
Bright lights, Sin City.
Away from the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip, the Neon Museum is a beacon of kitsch and history, offering a glimpse into Sin City's past through decommissioned neon signs and special exhibits. One of those presentations is a collection Tim Burton's work, which, in true Vegas style, marries the director's distinct point of view with the gloss and gleam of neon lights. While your schedule may or may not have room for a trip to Las Vegas, the museum is offering a virtual visit of Lost Vegas: Tim Burton @ The Neon Museum and it's hosted by none other than Burton himself.
Though the exhibit debuted last fall, Burton's tour is new and gives a peek into the museum that few will ever experience: a guided tour by the artist himself. Burton's pieces draw from his huge portfolio of work, including Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more.
During the video tour, Burton stops at a few select pieces and walks through the process of creating a light-up art piece, from start to finish. It's a fascinating look into the mind of the reclusive filmmaker, especially for die-hard fans of his movies.
"With the Museum’s temporary closure due to COVID-19, we know thousands of art lovers will miss their chance to see Burton’s outstanding exhibition," Neon Museum CEO Rob McCoy said in a statement. "This live, virtual tour will take place especially for them — and will be enjoyable for anyone who appreciates Burton’s work and iconic Las Vegas sign design."
The museum actually has a special place in the Burton oeuvre. Fans will know that the iconic Vegas spot had a cameo in his flick Mars Attacks! This isn't the first time Burton's shown his work off the big screen and on museum walls. A decade ago, he had his first fine art exhibit at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In true Burton fashion, he's showing again that he's a master of blending highbrow and his distinct gothic point of view. And thanks to the tour, we can all get a peek before we binge our favorite Tim Burton movies.