As a huge, geeky fan of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion ride and all folklore and legend surrounding it, I would literally die and come back from the dead to be able to see a group art show that opened this past Saturday in Los Angeles; A Tribute To The Haunted Mansion. Seriously, I can’t even live. This second annual group show, where artists interpret themes from the ride, features William Basso, Brian Boskind, The Creep, Curioddities, Dienzo, Asia De Vinyl, Frank Dietz, Darren Frydendall, Hideousboi, Noah K, Abigail Larson, Bob Lizarraga, Eric Pigors, Queenie, John Rozum, Bill Rude, Dan Szczepanski, Richard Terpstra and Zombienose among others. Judging from the video below, it looks totally amazing!
I wish I could be out in California to see this exhibit, but I don’t think that is going to be possible. If you live in the LA area and manage to go before the show closes, please send back a report from the other side!
Tribute To The Haunted Mansion will run through July 3, 2011 at the Parlour Gallery at Halloween Town, Located at 2921 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505. Please phone 818-848-3644 for exhibit hours.
Photos Below By Charlie Rengel
I was able to go to the art show on opening night on June 4th. Here’s a quick report I wrote for the Worley Gig:
“Tribute to the Haunted Mansion” art show
It was a dark and delightful sight to behold at the “Tribute to the Haunted Mansion ” art show, being held at the Halloweentown store in Burbank, California. This homage to Disney’s creepy estate populated by its 999 grim-and-grinning residents brought out the creativity in all the artists and in their works, including William Basso, Brian Boskind, The Creep, Curioddities, Dienzo, Asia De Vinyl, Frank Dietz, Darren Frydendall, Hideousboi, Noah K, Abigail Larson, Bob Lizarraga, Eric Pigors, Queenie PocketfullofPosies, John Rozum, Bill Rude, Dan Szczepanski, Richard Terpstra and Zombienose.
The art show was in the back rooms of the costume-and-novelty store, both of which looked almost like rooms from the Mansion with its creepy ambiance. You can enjoy the art in one room and then see more pieces in the adjoining room, where refreshments were served under the Haunted Mansion plaque and its stretching paintings.
The artwork ran the entire spectrum, from silly variations on classic moments of the ride to more serious takes on aspects of the mansion and its characters. Some paintings I couldn’t help but chuckle, and a few actually gave me chills. The sculptures displayed had such exquisite detail and showed off the artist’s original style. There was even a moment of social commentary, with a painting of the ghost of Walt Disney hovering over a gravestone that said “Rest in Peace 2-D”.
All of the artists got to express their love and appreciation for Disney’s adored attraction that has scared and delighted ride-goers for many years. While the ride almost scared me to death the first time (I was 4 years old), I now have a fond appreciation of touring that scary, silly place while being spun around in a “Doom Buggy.”
The “Tribute to the Haunted Mansion ” art show will be on display until July 3rd, 2011. The Halloweentown Store is located at 2921 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank , CA. (call 818-848-3644 for exhibit hours). Information on the show can also be found at: http://www.halloweenstore.com.
Thanks so much Charlie for the excellent report! Sounds like it was a frightfully good time! — G xo