Games of Thrones has three dragons but Seattle’s EMP Museum has welcomed its own magnificent dragon! The scaly resident is part of the collection of music, pop culture and fantasy but needs a name. This giant animatronic dragon is one of the main attractions featured in EMP’s upcoming exhibition Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic opening on April 27, 2013.
EMP is asking the public to share their name ideas for the dragon by going to EMP’s Facebook page . Submissions will be accepted through 11:59pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013. The top names will then be presented to the public to cast a vote for their favorite.
Built by Seattle Opera Scenic Studios, the dragon will spend most of its time guarding the gallery in a state of slumber, but will interact with visitors by purring softly when its tail is gently stroked and will snap its eyes open and let out a loud roar when it feels threatened.
The dragon is made out of wood, steel, aluminum, various types of both rigid and flexible foams, fabrics, upholstery materials, synthetic skin, and two glass eyes.
The dragon’s head is approximately six feet long. If it were to open its jaws, it would have a “bite” just a bit bigger than a Great White Shark.
The dragon’s claw has a grasp of 18”, its tail is about the length of an adult saltwater crocodile, and if it were to open its wings, they would stretch to more than 36 feet; slightly more than the wingspan of a Cessna airplane.
Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic is the first exhibition of its kind to examine the proliferation of the fantasy genre in literature, film, television, and video games. From classic folklore to epic tales of good and evil, the exhibition content spans more than four centuries and includes an authentic 16th century suit of armor, rare costumes from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, and original hand-edited manuscript pages from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Contemporary works are also featured with artifacts from Xena: Warrior Princess, Game of Thrones, and the Harry Potter series.
“Fantasy stories have existed throughout human history in all cultures and continents, and have made a worldwide resurgence in popular arts and entertainment,” says Jasen Emmons, EMP’s Director of Curatorial Affairs. “This exhibition explores the human need to create and imagine alternative fictional worlds, as well as the enduring appeal of fantasy’s universal stories, archetypal characters, and magical worlds.”
The architecture and design for Fantasy: Worlds of Myth and Magic draw on otherworldly themes and environments often depicted within the genre. “Through innovative design and interactive technologies, this exhibition will immerse visitors into a fantasy world, adding a sense of adventure to the museum experience,” says Emmons. The 3,000-square-foot gallery has been transformed into an enchanted forest with dense woods and dark caverns; a medieval courtyard with an armored wizard’s tree; and magical creatures, including a life-size animatronic dragon and a giant dragonfly whose eyes act as viewing screens for exhibit film projections.
Not only does EMP (also hometown of ComicsBlend) have this dragon but they have an Imperial Dalek (part of the Icons of Science Fiction) calling it home!
By Editor