When I boarded a big white bus near Grand Central Station on Wednesday evening, bound for the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, I had no idea what to expect once I arrived. The evening was billed as a “Persol Magnificient Obsessions Exhibition,” honoring costume designer Arianne Phillips (who worked on W.E. with Madonna) and director Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven, Mildred Pierce). An email said the work of Douglas Trumbull and Ennio Morricone, along with artifacts from films including Amelia, Far From Heaven, The Last Emperor, Million Dollar Baby, North by Northwest and Pollock, would be displayed.
Inside, I saw Patricia Clarkson and Abbie Cornish looking at the Vionnet gown specially designed for W.E., unpublished illustrations of North by Northwest for Coronet magazine, untitled paintings and drawing by Ed Harris, created in preparation for his film, Pollock, and a detailed look at the color palette Haynes drew inspiration from for Far From Heaven. There were tons of little details like this in the show and if you’re a movie buff, you’ll easily spend a few hours checking out the behind-the-scenes research that goes into filmmaking.
Later, we sipped rum cocktails downstairs, while Twin Shadows was behind the DJ booth. When I took their picture they mentioned they have another gig coming up on Saturday, at Surf Lodge. I’ll be there.