Godzilla, Seven Samurai Reunited at Tokyo Exhibition

From Japan Realtime

Some of Japan’s most iconic film characters, including Godzilla and the Seven Samurai, are reunited at a Tokyo exhibition that recalls the great age of Japanese film, and features Japanese-film specialties — monsters and samurai.

“Toho Studios – Innovative Filmmakers in Setagaya,” which opened on Feb. 21 at the Setagaya Art Museum, explores the creative legacy of Toho Studios, which started as the Photo Chemical Laboratory in 1932 and has been the birthplace of countless films since. Among the most memorable, “Godzilla” and “Seven Samurai” were both released in 1954 and came to symbolize the studio’s golden age.

The exhibition introduces many of the creative people who worked for the studio over its 80-year history, exploring how the films were made, with a special focus on the two legendary films.

At the opening reception on Feb. 20, museum director Tadayasu Sakai said the exhibition “deciphers Toho Studios in the context of an art museum,” and “conveys the sentiments of the times in many ways.”

Godzilla’s lead actor Akira Takarada, now 80, recalled, “One day, I was given a screenplay, with ‘Godzilla’ in black letters on a red cover. I realized I had got my first lead role, something I had been dreaming of.”

Godzilla depicts the imagined consequences of nuclear power out of control and featured special effects remarkable for the time. As can be seen in storyboards, design sketches and production albums, director Ishiro Honda collaborated closely with special-effects director Eiji Tsuburaya to bring the monster to life and work it into a serious dramatic story. The studio eventually produced 28 Godzilla movies by 2004, and is scheduled to release another in 2016.

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See Also: GODZILLA 2 or STAR WARS Spin-Off? Which is More Exciting?!, Godzilla Vinyl Wars 1973 Sofubi Vinyl Figure - Previews Exclusive, Godzilla 2: release date confirmed, Pacific Rim 2 & Godzilla Crossover Rumors Abound, Godzilla 2 Monsters: 'Skull Island' Writer Penning Script For Sequel, A Possible King Kong Vs Godzilla Crossover?, Gareth Edwards Scores Godzilla 2, 3 ... and Star Wars?!!, Gareth Edwards Teases 'Destroy All Monsters' for the 'Godzilla' Sequel

Giant monsters gather in Nagoya

The Yomiuri Shimbun

NAGOYA — Masks, suits and miniatures of Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera and many more — an exhibition under way at the Nagoya City Science Museum in Naka Ward, Nagoya, until Jan. 12 showcases about 500 items used in the filming of movies and TV series produced in Japan since the 1960s using tokusatsu special effects.

The exhibition, titled “Tokusatsu: Special Effects Museum,” was curated by anime director Hideaki Anno, who is known for his “Evangelion” anime series.

Notable in the exhibition is a reproduction of a storehouse that used to be in a film studio to hold these props and small sets.

Information about the exhibit (In Japanese) Here - 'TOKUSATSU – Special Effects Museum'

Fully restored Star Trek Galileo Spaceship to call Space Center Houston home July 31

Space Center Houston will publicly unveil Galileo, the newly restored spaceship prop featured in the 1967 Star Trek episode “The Galileo Seven” after a yearlong restoration project lead by Adam Schnieder, a die-hard Star Trek fan and memorabilia collector. The life-size spaceship will be on permanent display inside Space Center Houston’s Zero-G Diner and will be one of only a few exhibitions in the world where visitors can see iconic sci-fi history that has influenced generations of innovators.

“Science fiction, especially a series like Star Trek, has inspired many astronauts and engineers,” said Richard Allen, president and CEO of Space Center Houston. “This exciting new addition to our collection connects and aligns with our ongoing mission to motivate, stimulate and inspire young minds to consider careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).”

Actors from the Star Trek television series, made possible by Space City Con will be part of the memorable event including original Star Trek cast member Don Marshall who appeared in The Galileo Seven episode as Lt. Boma; Robert Picardo who played The Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager; Galvestonian Tracy Scoggins who portrayed a Cardassian scientist in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well as Monica Colby in the popular 1980s drama Dynasty; Denise Crosby who played Security Chief Tasha Yar in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Gil Gerard, who appeared as a Starfleet Admiral from the new episode Star Trek Phase II and is best known as Captain William Buck Rogers in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as well as Marshall Teague who played supporting roles in both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

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Star Trek's Enterprise to boldly go ... to San Diego?

From U-T San Diego

Suddenly San Diego is the final frontier.

SDSU is trying to build a real "trirecorder." UCSD is holding a symposium in May to answer the question: "Is this the century we begin to build starships?" (Spoiler: Duh.)

And now a replica of the Starship Enterprise may be landing in San Diego next year.

The news was first beamed up by Space.com, which reports a display version of the bridge from television's "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is being refurbished by a group called New Starship. (No word on whether their theme song is "We Built This ... Copy.")

Here's what space.com contributor Elizabeth Howell wrote:

Nothing's confirmed yet, but organizer Huston Huddleston said he is in talks with the San Diego Air & Space Museum to bring the bridge there in the middle of 2014. It will remain there for a year, the plan goes, before possibly hitting the road for other locations.

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Creature From The Black Lagoon And Star Wars Figures On A Shelf ... Is It Art?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Tanya Bonakdar Gallery

Okay, I am probably the last guy on Earth that should be writing a piece about modern art. Honestly, the whole thing escapes me. All it looks like to me is stuff any five-year-old could make displayed in a way that's supposed to make some kind of statement about something thought provoking.

Case in point is a new exhibit at the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York by Haim Steinbach entitled "Creature". The main inspiration for the series of works on display was a "Creature From The Black Lagoon" action figure which Steinbach turned into a piece of modern art by placing it on a long white shelf angled across the corner of a room. Does it make sense to me? No. Do I like the subject matter? Absolutely! Who doesn't like the Creature? On top of that I like alot of the stuff Steinbach has arranged on shelves, a giant Stormtrooper and a Darth Vader action figure from Star Wars, nude female sculptures and the kind of nic-nacs my mother-in-law buys at yard sales.

All fine stuff ..... stuff you would find on a shelf in just about any house in America. But, I ask you ... is it art?

Well, I guess so and after delving into this article I have come to realize that it is just Americana and pop culture simplified.

Ah alas I guess Steinbach has gotten to me.

Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film

Source: EMP Museum

EMP Museum announced the opening of its new exhibition Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film which takes an in-depth exploration into horror, its link to humanity, and how that connection is expressed through cinema, biology, history, and contemporary culture. EMP invited some of the world’s most prolific horror film directors – Roger Corman, John Landis, and Eli Roth – to curate a selection of their favorite films that exemplify the genre and illustrate the creative power of horror film. Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film opens October 2, 2011 at EMP.

"Audiences have been fascinated with horror stories for centuries, but its presence in popular culture is now more pervasive than ever," says EMP’s Senior Curator, Jacob McMurray. "This exhibition will examine how horror film has evolved over the last century, why we as a culture are drawn to these macabre narratives, and how fear and horror are a vital component to our human identity."

Through a combination of artifacts, interactive installations, and screening rooms, Can’t Look Away: The Lure of Horror Film explores films from the last 100 years, and is a balance between classics and cult favorites, and domestic and foreign motion pictures. They include: Nosferatu (1922), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Les Diaboliques (1955), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Suspiria (1972), The Exorcist (1973), Psycho (1973), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Alien (1979), The Shining (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), The Fly (1986), The Thing (1982), and many others.

The exhibition will feature a selection of iconic artifacts from horror films including:
•Alien creature suit from Alien
•Scavenger demon from Constantine
•Jack Torrance’s axe from The Shining
•"Gill Man" mask from Creature from the Black Lagoon
•Bram Stoker’s Dracula manuscript
•Script from Night of the Living Dead

Interactive installations include:

Scream Booth: In a soundproof booth, visitors will watch a scene from a horror film and are encouraged to scream on cue. A camera takes multiple shots, which are displayed outside the booth.

Horror Soundscapes: Visitors will be able to explore basic music elements and scoring techniques used in horror film to enhance the sense of suspense and horror.

Monster Timeline: A large infographic explores the popular monster archetypes in horror, why they persist into our modern times, and why they resonate.

Shadow Monsters: An installation by visual artist Philip Worthington where visitors can see their projected shadows and watch them morph into monster-like forms.

HOURS
Winter hours September 6, 2011 - May 24, 2012, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer hours May 27, 2011 to September 5, 2011, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

CONTACT INFO
325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
206-770-2700, main line
206-770-2702, box office
1-877-EMP-SFM1, toll-free
www.empmuseum.org

Yoshitaka Amano To Be Special Guest At Anime Art Gallery Opening In San Francisco

Source: Media Lab

NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, adds a new dimension to San Francisco’s contemporary art scene with the opening of the SUPERFROG Gallery.

The bright and spacious 2,000 square foot exhibit space is located on the 3rd floor of NEW PEOPLE’s striking contemporary building in the heart of the city’s historic Japantown. Grand Opening celebrations for NEW PEOPLE and the SUPERFROG Gallery will commence on August 15th.

Named for the short story Super-Frog Saves Tokyo, by acclaimed writer Haruki Murakami, the SUPERFROG Gallery will offer a permanent outlet for established as well as emerging artists who draw inspiration from Japanese pop and modern culture.

Legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano will make a rare U.S. appearance to celebrate the grand opening of NEW PEOPLE and the SUPERFROG Gallery with his newest exhibit, DEVA LOKA, created especially for the gallery and named for the ancient Indian land of God. As an ode to his childhood love for American comics, culture and automobiles, Amano’s latest breathtaking and vibrant pieces are boldly coated with auto paint and metallic glitter. The exhibit will run through October 18th and admission is free.

Amano is widely acclaimed for his work in animation and video games. He is renowned for designing the characters for the hit video game, Final Fantasy, as well as for anime films including Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga, Final Fantasy, and Front Mission. This will be Amano’s only scheduled U.S. personal appearance this year; a panel discussion focusing on his work and a rare autograph session are also planned as part of the Grand Opening festivities.

“This exhibition at the SUPERFROG Gallery brings me back to the U.S. after a long period of being away,” says Amano. “Between the late 60’s and the 70’s, and during my early years in the art world, I was greatly influenced by American comic books and pop culture. I’d like to show my gratitude for the inspiration America gave me with this exhibit. With the theme of DEVA LOKA, all of my concepts and influences are able to come together, centered in one place. I hope everyone enjoys my show.”

Visual art is at the heart of Japanese pop culture and the crisp lines, vibrant colors and imaginative designs and characters make the genre instantly recognizable. The museum’s curator lives in Tokyo and will provide the SUPERFROG Gallery with a direct channel to a talented pool of artists who will continue to push artistic boundaries. Not only as an exhibit space for Japanese artists, NEW PEOPLE will also welcome a host of domestic and international artists that are similarly inspired by Japanese culture and are conscious of the cultural interaction between East and West. At a local level, the gallery will also interact with Bay Area artists who have a personal connection to Japan and will help support and nurture the Bay Area’s robust artistic community.

“Even before we planned the SUPERFROG Gallery, we wanted the NEW PEOPLE building to be an easily accessible public space to enjoy the work of Japanese artists across a variety of mediums,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the founder/CEO of VIZ Pictures and VIZ Media as well as the J-pop Center Project. “By displaying art throughout the building, even in the restrooms and staircases, we look to introduce these artists to as many visitors as possible. We’re also interested in developing future exhibits that represent both classic and modern Japanese culture. “

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com.

Allyson Mitchell Believes The True Symbol Of Female Brains And Sexuality Is.....Sasquatch?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: McMaster University Museum

Many of you may remember a few months back when I posted the odd story about a group of Russian villagers who were reportedly "doing the nasty" with local female Bigfoot (known as Alma or Almasty in Russia). Well it appears that hard-up men in remote villages are not the only ones who see beauty in big harry primates.

Toronto based artist, Allyson Mitchell, has created a whole line of 10-foot-tall, anatomically correct, statues of female Sasquatches, which the artist believes is, "a monumental symbol of female brains, brawn and sexuality."

No....seriously.

I can understand that giant female primates might symbolize power and strength, but if I was going to create statues that embodied female "brains, brawn and sexuality", I would go for buxom amazons (like Xena....or Wonder Woman...), not bigfoot.

Who am I to poke fun at art? I'm just an uncultured hethan.

Regardless of whether you would rather glare at harry primates or buxom amazons, Mitchell's work is presently on display at the McMaster University Museum of Art (In Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) through March 21st

Interested art fans and cryptozoologists can find out more about "Allyson Mitchell: Ladies Sasquatch" - HERE

See Also: Does The RCMP Have A Bigfoot On Ice? / Sci Fi Orders Another Season Of Destination Truth / If Your looking For Ghosts Go To The Aokigahara Forest In Japan / Cryptozoological Figure Set / Southeastern Ohio Society For Bigfoot Investigation Holds Meatings To Discuss Sightings / Are Russian Female Bigfoot Looking For Human Mates? / Bigfoot Stalking Mormons In Houston / Nasa Photo Shows Human-like Figure On Mars / Another Knucklehead Comes Forward To Claim That He Created Pattersons Bigfoot / Recent Reports Lead To The Possibility Of A Large Bigfoot Population Near Houston BC / Monster Quest Is In Colorado Searching For Bigfoot / The Sci Fi Channel Travels Into The Unknown With Unexplained With George Noory This Month / Recent Bigfoot Sightings In BC Suggest Bear-Like Migration / Bigfoot Prints Found In Siberia / Russian Soldiers Discover A Harry Monster On The Beach

Godzilla Rodan Ultraman And Mothra Invade The Miami Beach Art Scene

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: The Examiner / Art Center Of South Florida

Anyone who doubts the influences of Japanese monster movies on popular culture should take a good look at a current exhibit at the Art Center of South Florida. The exhibit, entitled, "Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach" features vinyl figures, statues, toys, paintings and other various forms of art inspired by Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman and all their friends. The works on display were created by Pop Surrealists from around the globe, including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen.

I have to admit that this one flew under my radar. The exhibit opened back on December 2nd, but fear not. There is still time to check it out. "Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach" (Curated by Harold Golen) runs until January 4th, 2009.

Here is the official info:

Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach
Curated by Harold Golen

Opens December 2, - January 4, 2008
Opening Reception, Wednesday, December 3 (Guess we kinda missed that)

ArtCenter / South Florida
800 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Website - HERE

This is exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists. The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. After experiencing the Atomic Bomb, Godzilla (a radioactive lizard) and Gamera (a giant flying turtle) became the mutant brainchildren of anti-nuclear cinema. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters.

I just love that painting of "King Ceasar". I wonder if the artist will ever sell prints of it?

See Also: James Morrow Satirizes Hollywood, Secret Goverment Projects And Godzilla In Shambling Towards Hiroshima / Godzilla 3D Poster / Will Silent Night Be Replaced By Godzilla Christmas? / Rare Sci Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Items Go Up For Auction / Godzilla Godzooky Plush / Todd Tennant To Return To Godzilla 94 / Breaking News! Godzilla Spotted In Chiba.....Wait....Its A Tree! / A New Godzilla Board Game Is In The Early Development Stage / Mom! I Want A 1/100 Scale Radio Controled MechaGodzilla For Christmas! / G-FAN #85 / Godzilla Plaque: School Dedicated Two Years Ago / Norman England's Bringing Godzilla Down To Size Featured On Gargantuas DVD Release / King Kong vs Godzilla: Trailer / Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out-Attack Trailer / Is There A New Godzilla Film In The Early Stages At Toho? / The Godzilla 94 Trailer - Now With Music And Sound Effects! / Three Brand New Photos From Godzilla Zero Hour

DEX Wins The Thai Rights To Ultraman Max And Ultraman Mebius / Pusan International Film Festival Focuses On Asian Super Heroes / Ultraman To Appear At This Years Japanese Film Festival In Kuala Lumpur / Ultraman Showcase 2008 - Ultraman Comes To Malaysia / Ultraman Cosmos vs. Ultraman Justice: The Final Battle (2003) / Hitomi Muto Talks About Her Grandfather Eiji Tsuburaya / Ultraman: Towards the Future (1990) / Ultraman Becomes A Permanent Resident Of The Fukushima Airport / Courts Rule That Sompote Saengduenchai Did Not Co-Create Ultraman / Bandai Aquires A Large Portion Of Tsuburaya Productions / Ultra Galaxy: Dai Kaiju Batoru (2007-2008) / Ultraman Exhibit At The Roppongi Hills Mori Arts Center / Ultraman Turns 41 /Eight Versions Of Ultraman Hit The Big Screen In 2008

Star Wars 'Where Science Meets Imagination' Exhibit

Robo Japan begins a week long tribute to "Star Wars" in honor of the upcoming release of "The Clone Wars". Check back daily for more interesting articles from our archives!

On Saturday, March 3, 2007, I had the privilege of being able to visit the 'Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination' exhibit at California Science Center in Los Angeles. My party was in the front of what proved to be a fairly long line of Star Wars fans of all ages that had formed in anticipation of the exhibits 10am opening. We had arrived early in hopes of avoiding the up to 2 hour wait time that the Science Center's web site had warned about. At 10 we were escorted upstairs to the exhibit and quickly began to mill about the exhibits. As you first enter the door you are greeted, to your immediate right, by the Land Speeder from 'A New Hope'. I was personally taken back by the fact that I was standing in the presence of an object that I had seen on film hundreds of times, but thought that I would never actually see in person. My awe would not end there.

Throughout the exhibit are dozens of props and costumes from all six of the Star Wars films with some hands on science experiments thrown into the mix so that the visitor can get a good feel for how Hollywood imagination has lead to genuine scientific advancements. Just about everything a Star Wars fan would want to see is there for the gawking. Behind glass are Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter, the Darth Vader costume from the original Star Wars, the Sandcrawler model, Wookie costumes from 'Revenge of the Sith', they are all here. I could have spent the entire day just staring at the amazing detail that goes into each model and costume. This is the only way, unless you get an invite to Skywalker Ranch, that the average Star Wars fan can view these wonderful items that helped create the Star Wars saga.

What really struck me, was the fact that the exhibit was free! An exhibit of this magnitude could have easily fetched a $10, $20 or even $40 price tag due to sheer number of items that are on display.

For the fans who are lucky enough to live in the Los Angeles area, or have the means to make a trip to the City of Angels, this is a once in a lifetime event that can't be missed.

The 'Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination' exhibit runs until April 29, 2007 at the California Science Center in Exhibition Park near downtown Los Angeles. Directions and general information can be found on the Science Center's website HERE.

Here is a collection of some of the many items that are on display:

Millennium Falcon, scale model, from 'The Empire Strikes Back' - It's huge! The detail on it is just amazing.

The Princess Leia costume from 'A New Hope', The R2-D2 costume from the 'original trilogy', and the C3P0 costume from 'Revenge of the Sith'.

"We've spotted Imperial Walkers" - An actual model of an Imperial AT-AT from 'The Empire Strikes Back'

One of the many Y-Wing fighter models used in 'A New Hope'.

The Rebel Blockade Runner model from 'A New Hope'. Yes, the rumors are true, there is a tiny Star Wars poster in the cockpit. You have to look real close to see it due to the low lighting.

The 'life size' Landspeeder from 'A New Hope'. Amazing detail. Looks like you could jump in and drive it home.

An Imperial Tie Fighter model from the 'original trilogy'

Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter model from 'the original trilogy'. I know I'm beating a dead horse but I have to mention the detail on this model. You can clearly see the controls inside the cockpit. It is that detailed.

The Wampa costume from 'The Empire Strikes Back'. I always loved this creature. It was a thrill to be able to see this costume.

The model of Luke Skywalker riding a Tauntaun from 'The Empire Strikes Back'.

The Darth Vader costume from 'A New Hope' that was worn by David Prowse. To say I was in awe of this is an understatement. I was in the presence of the 'Dark Lord of the Sith'!

The Imperial Star Destroyer model from 'A New Hope'. When this ship zoomed over head at the beginning of Star Wars science fiction cinema, in fact all cinema, changed forever.

One again I have to say that seeing these items (there are far more not shown here) was a life long dream come true and I urge any Star Wars, or movie fan in general, to take advantage of this free opportunity that only comes around rarely in a lifetime.

"May The Force Be With You" - Ken

See Also: Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Designing A New Galaxy / Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Lucas And Filoni Talk About The Film / Warner Bros - Comic Con 2008 Sneak Previews / The First Clone Wars Trailer Will Air Tonight! / Interview - Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca Speaks!) / The Empire Takes Over Deal Or No Deal /Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comes To Cinemas And TV In 2008

One Mans Robot Collection Becomes A Museum Exhibit

Source: Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame


Experience Music ProjectScience Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMPSFM) is proud to announce a new exhibition, Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels. The exhibition celebrates society’s long fascination with humankind's technological version of itself. The exhibition is drawn from a one-of-a-kind assemblage of toy robots, which noted graphic designer Tom Geismar has been collecting for decades. Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels opens on Friday, May 16, 2008 and closes on Sunday, October 26, 2008.


The collection is inspired by Geismar’s interest in antique tin and wooden toys and mid-20th century Japanese film and anime characters. These intricately detailed and beautifully designed miniatures are set against EMPSFM's backdrop of life-sized robots, androids and cyborgs from the world of science-fiction film and television.

Geismar began collecting robots while designing the U.S. Pavilion at the 1970 World’s Fair in Japan. Since that time, he has amassed dozens of robots through visiting specialty shops around the world. The exhibition covers early toy robot figures from the Forbidden Planet-era up through various Voltron and Transformers-type robots. Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvels was designed by Pentagram Design.

“I’m proud to be able to show my collection, which exhibits the magic of toy robots,” said Tom Geismar. The imaginative creativity of these small sculptural wonders first appealed to me as a designer and eventually helped me to make cross-cultural connections.”

Robots: A Designer's Collection of Miniature Mechanical Marvelswill feature more than 125 robots from his collection, including two wooden robots specially made for Geismar by toymaker and children’s book author, David Kirk. Kirk is best known today for the Miss Spider series and Nova the Robot: Nova’s Ark.

“While putting this show together, we had an epiphany about the relationship between robots and children,” said Margie Maynard, director of education at EMPSFM. “The naiveté and candidness of robots (in science fiction) make them the perfect companions or guardians for children and likewise children are the logical choice to be the robots' pilots or operators.”

Tom Geismar is a founding principal of Chermayeff & Geismar, and widely considered a pioneer of American graphic design. During the past four decades he has designed more than a hundred corporate identity programs. His logo designs and graphics programs for Mobil, Chase Bank, PBS, Univision, Rockefeller Center, Best Products, Screen Gems, Gemini Consulting have received worldwide acclaim. Tom has also been responsible for many of the firm’s exhibition designs and world’s fair pavilions. Burlington Industries’ “The Mill” was a major NYC tourist attraction for 10 years as today are the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, the Statue of Liberty Museum, the Truman Presidential Library, and a series of special exhibits at the Library of Congress. He has received all the major awards in the field, including one of the first Presidential Design Awards for helping to establish a national system of standardized transportation symbols.

He is the co-author of “Spiritually Moving,” a major work on American Folk sculpture, “TM: trademarks designed by Chermayeff & Geismar” and “designing:” a book that describes his firm’s approach to design.

Geismar concurrently attended the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown, he received a master’s degree in graphic design from Yale University, School of Art and Architecture.

Museum Hours:

EMPSFM is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 23, 2008 through September 1, 2008. EMPSFM will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from September 2, 2008 - May 21, 2009.

Museum Admission:

General adult admission to both Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMPSFM) is $15. Admission for seniors, youth, military and students (w/ID) is $12, and admission for children under 5 is free. One ticket gives access to both museums.

Web site: empsfm.org

Address: 325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Box office:206-770-2702, 1-877-EMP-SFM1