The SciFi Museum

[qos]

Any science fiction geeks in the Puget Sound area who have not yet visited the Museum of Science Fiction, which is attached to the Experience Music Project at the Seattle Center, need to carve out a couple of hours and do so.

They cram quite a bit of material into a rather small space, but it's a loving celebration of the entire history of science fiction. There are old, old books and pulp magazines, props, costumes, film, scripts, original art, movie posters, music, photographs. . .

I enjoyed myself, but the best moments were those I spent before a small display holding actual props from the original Star Trek. In front of a large photo of Spock, Kirk, and McCoy were Spock's tricorder, Kirk's communicator, and McCoy's medical scanner. They were rather beaten-up, but as I stood and looked at them I felt a powerful wave of emotion: an unexpected combination of nostalgia and gratitude for all that those objects symbolized.

I wasn't fond of Star Trek in the beginning. When I was very young, it scared me. (Heck, the Abominable Snowman on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sent me scurrying behind the couch!) But when I grew older, I came to love it for its idealism and adventure, and the friendship and loyalty between the 'holy triumvirate'. I would not have expected those props to have an emotional impact, but they did.

Another highlight was seeing costumes worn by Delenn, G'Kar and Mollari from Babylon-5 -- and Delenn's outfit was my favorite from the show: the purple and pink layered robes with the crystal rod brooch and jeweled belt.

Also not to be missed is the very large model of the Alien Queen -- the stuff of nightmares. Her display is right next to one of the costumes worn by Evolution the Chimp who played Muffit in the original Battlestar Galactica -- also the stuff of nightmares, if you ask me.

One wall is designed to look like a large viewing port, and you can look out onto a busy space-lane, where ships from Star Trek, Star Wars, B5, Red Dwarf, Close Encounters, ET, and others all cross paths. Individual display controls allow you to select a ship and get full information on it (bringing it into prominence on the large screen), while a Big Brother voice describes the ship and its significance within the context of its own universe. ("Even in troubled times, the Imperial Star Destroyer conveys the power and authority of the Empire. . . ") Most impressive.

Comments

[athenian-abroad.livejournal.com]

Michael Rennie was ill \ the day the earth stood still \ but he told us where we stand

Just another lost bit of self. You just never know what you'll find lying around, do you?

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

I was a charter member, and actually was there at the members-only pre-opening. I ended up dropping the membership because money is tight, and I was never able to get back for a second visit. That told me the money was better spent elsewhere.

[qos.livejournal.com]

The only reason I would get a membership would be if I wanted to keep track of the events they sponsor and attend them.

I might go again by myself to feel more free to spend as much -- or little -- time as I wanted at the various exhibits and get more into the detail, but I can't see attending frequently.

[nixnivis.livejournal.com]

That's it, I'm packing Signe in a back and booking a flight ticket right NOW! Me wanna see! :-(

[qos.livejournal.com]

If you come out this way, I'll be happy to have you stay with me!

[bookchick.livejournal.com]

Looks like a date night for me and the Husband.

We are all such geeks, aren't we? ;>

[qos.livejournal.com]

I presume that's one of the primary reason we get along so well. ;-)