Wes Anderson-endorsed pop-up exhibition at 180 Strand transports you into the realm of the director’s new film, Asteroid City.
A comedy-drama takes place in a fictional American desert town circa 1955. The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organised to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.
Behind the scenes
The exhibition features original props, costumes, installations, miniature characters used in production, and artwork that makes you feel like you’re on set. In addition to all that, it captures Anderson’s distinctive film aesthetic, typified by retro influences and pastel colours.
Pieces at the venue are spread across three main spaces, with audio clips and parts of the movie projected onto walls referencing scenes relevant to the nearby displays.
Asteroid Day attire
Fans will be delighted to see Asteroid Day attire, Cowboy costumes, the full khaki getup of Augie Steenbeck, the all-white uniform of junior stargazer Clifford Kellogg, and the summer dress of precocious teenage scientist Dinah Campbell.
The 1/8th scale train model
Sets presented at 180 Strand contain white wooden residential shacks, the miniaturised model freight train that cuts through the desert and the motor court hotel cabins where Johansson and Schwartzman’s characters chat through their windows “were three times as big” as the others to accommodate interior shots.
Highly Detailed Props
Other life-sized characteristically detailed scenery props include telephone booth (popular spot for influencers), billboard poster announcing the meteor site and vending machines, unfortunately they dispense martinis and bullets only in the film, not at the exhibition.
Replica of a diner
Although if you feel peckish you can dine out at the Luncheonette, Asteroid City’s iconic 1950s diner, which is recreated onsite.
Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City Exhibition” is on at 180 Studios until July 30. Book your tickets here.
Image credits: © Courtesy of Universal Pictures UK and 180 Studios. Olivia Thompson Photography
