NEWS EDITOR – ASHTON JEFFERS
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT 13, 2023
The McNay Art Museum’s opens its newest exhibition “Dreamland: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas?” from Aug. 17- Jan. 14, To mark the 30th anniversary of the 1993 stop-motion animation film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The exhibition boasts a collection of original props from the movie and pieces from other artists that evoke the eerie cheer scene in Burton’s film. “Dreamland” encourages visitors to imagine themselves exploring what it means to balance the elements of macabre and innocence.
The exhibition welcomes San Antonio residents and those interested in Burton’s work and style to examine pieces used in the film in a new setting where visitors can imagine these wacky casts of characters come to life. The space is open to fans of all ages and backgrounds, whether they have seen the film once, or more times than can be counted on one hand. From the movie props to the exhibit’s unique version of the “Hall of Peculiar Portraits,” there is something for every visitor to take away from this experience. This exhibit’s element derives from the idea of Assistant Curator, Kimberley Neptune, sharing one of the many connections the McNay itself has to Burton’s world in the film. “Even in our very own portrait gallery here is often beautiful and wonderful, but sometimes as staff, we have to walk through it with the lights off and when no one is here,” stated Neptune. “I think that’s a common experience in portrait galleries. When you’re looking at these portraits, they’re looking back. We wanted to recreate that sense of whimsy, but also a sense that is a bit eerie.”
The exhibition’s curators, R. Scott Blackshire and Kimberley Neptune, planned for “Dreamland” in 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they settled to present the exhibit in 2023. This fell perfectly in line with the 30th anniversary and allowed more individuals to explore the public events San Antonio has to offer. These small models, maquettes, that were created for the film have been part of The Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts at the McNay and have often been displayed in the past. The maquettes were originally purchased by Robert Tobin, a local of San Antonio and patron of the theater arts, soon after the initial release of the film in October and November 1993. Since then, San Antonio established this connection to “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the work of Tim Burton as cultural touchstones.
“They’re a family favorite,” stated Blackshire when asked what keeps drawing people to view these small models of Burton’s characters. “Tim Burton is one of the few directors whose name is synonymous with a style. We kind of know it’s this gothic, Victorian-esque, dark, melancholy and somewhat humorous style.” The museum’s active social media pages encourage interested visitors to dive into this representation of Burton’s world by dressing up as his iconic characters and utilizing the exhibition space as a photo op to picture themselves in a world inspired by Burton’s imagination and artistry. It is a wonder how artists like Burton draw viewers from all backgrounds with such a macabre style. “Everyone experiences sadness and heartbreak,” commented Neptune when asked why Burton’s style has become so iconic for two generations now. “Burton is able to find humor in sadness, failure, but also in triumph.”
“Dreamland” incorporates over 500 years of global theater arts including the nine Burton maquettes that have been displayed in the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts and Brown Galleries at the McNay. As an exhibit long in the making, other pieces that incorporate themes of surrealism that fit well into Burton’s world include artworks specifically from the McNay’s collection. Some of these artists include, but are not limited to Eugene Berman, Julie Heffernan, Willem de Kooning, and José Clemente Orozco Farías. Other interesting pieces include paper concept models of the maquettes from Burton’s film made of paper and ink pen. While they are not as grand as the models used in the film, it is interesting to see the vision of what would later become the official maquettes made from something as simple as pen and paper. The exhibition also offers interactive experiences. From the work of a local artist, Loot Archis and contractor, the McNay produced the “Exquisite Corpse” sculpture where visitors can turn blocks to mix and match their own peculiar portrait.
For more information and updates on “Dreamland,” follow McNay Art Museum on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, Threads and YouTube. The McNay is open WednesdaySunday, and “Dreamland” will be available to the public until Jan. 14.