The home library of an action hero, the bedroom of a mother-to-be and the office of a police chief will be among the installations celebrating the set decorator's art in "Pulling Back the Drapes: Set Decoration Revealed," a new exhibition opening on Friday, May 16, in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Fourth Floor Gallery in Beverly Hills. Admission is free.
As part of the production design team, a set decorator's role is to give a level of physical reality to the various environments in a film, including the spaces that help define a character. In just a few seconds of screen time, the set decorator must convey something about the character's personality, past experience or present emotional state. With input from the film's director and production designer, the set decorator makes decisions about furniture, fabrics, color, personal items and other objects that serve to give the audience a window into the character's mind and heart.
"Pulling Back the Drapes" will highlight the creative work of the following artists:
Larry Dias, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL" -- Set elements to be featured include Indy's home library and desk.
K.C. Fox, FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL -- An elaborate Hawaiian hotel lobby will be re-created.
Lauri Gaffin, IRON MAN -- This installation will reproduce part of a cave indoors.
Anne Kuljian, THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR -- This installation will feature oversized pieces inspired by Chinese art techniques and artifacts.
Jan Pascale, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES -- The film's mysterious attic will be reconstructed in the gallery's alcove.
Leslie Rollins, GET SMART -- The Chief's office will be re-created with references to the original television series.
Susan Bode Tyson, BABY MAMA -- This installation will feature Kate's bedroom in a New York City apartment.
The exhibition also will include display cases that reveal some "tricks of the set decorator's trade" and video monitors with footage from the movies and behind-the-scenes material.
"Pulling Back the Drapes: Set Decoration Revealed" will be on display through Sunday, August 24.
The Academy's galleries, located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, are open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. The Academy will be closed during the Memorial Day holiday weekend -- Saturday, May 24, through Monday, May 26, as well as for the Independence Day holiday weekend -- Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6. For more information call (310) 247--3600 or visit
www.oscars.org/events .
