Photographer Barry Lively is a huge Star Wars fan who recently provided dR with his exclusive photos from the exhibit that runs through April 1 at The Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St. Pete.
” I actually have the original news clipping from 1977 about the movie, Star Wars trading cards, blueprints of R2D2 and The Millennial Falcon and I have had it since I was 11.” Accompanying Lively was his fanzine pal, Megan Woods who shared her blog with us. “One of her social media icons is Darth Megan, she appreciates all of the movies from 1977 to 2017.”
Here’s what Megan has to say about her fangirl experience to a galaxy far, far away:
If you’re a young Padawan in the Star Wars universe or a Jedi Master, Star Wars and the Power of Costume has something for everyone to enjoy. Coming from a museum far, far away the Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibit is visiting the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg from the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and is a partnership with Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Lucasfilm. This exhibit is the third collaboration between SITES and Lucasfilm following Star Wars: The Magic of Myth and Star Wars: The Art of the Starfighter.
It took six weeks to display over 60 handcrafted costumes from seven different movies at the MFA and is the exhibits second to last stop on its tour across the country visiting places such as New York City and Denver on its way. The exhibit will be at MFA until April 1,2018 before making its last stop at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Star Wars and the Power of Costume at MFA brings the art of the production to life in a way that transports you into the far away galaxies and tells the classic story of the hero.
You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to appreciate the exhibit that focuses on the artistry of the costumes and design process. The craftsmanship put into such extravagant outfits as Queen Amidala’s throne room gown from The Phantom Menace or the creativity involved in developing the Yak hair covered Wookie suit along with a cooling system, there’s something for everyone.
Nine different sections are set up: Introduction: Dressing a Galaxy; Symbolism and Military Power; All Corners of the Galaxy: The Galactic Senate; Droid Design; Outlaws and Outsiders; Jedi versus Sith: Form, Function and Design; Darth Vader: Iconic Villain; Concept and Design for Royalty and Beyond; and After the Throne: Padmé’s Journey. Each section of the exhibit displays the costumes masterfully while showing the creative and design process as well.
Inside Darth Vader: Iconic Villain see the costume used during filming of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, how such influences as George Lucas and John Mollo developed such a recognizable villain, and get the chance to peer inside the helmet yourself. After the Throne: Padme’s Journey shows the evolution of her story in the grandiose gowns of Queen Amidala to the more simplistically beautiful costumes of Senator Amidala.
Displayed on the walls through the collection you can find concept art from leading artists such as Ralph McQuarrie, who played a leading role in helping George Lucas bring his ideas for the Star Wars universe to life. Along with some of the costumes, such as the C3PO costume worn by Anthony Daniels, are informative videos where the actors and designers tell you more about their experiences creating the designs, putting the outfits together, and the actors experience wearing them.
A big thank you to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and Lucasfilm for making Star Wars and the Power of Costume possible and the Museum of Fine Arts team in St. Petersburg, Florida for their flawless execution.
(All photos courtesy of B.Lively Images)
