Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams join the party as Seattle’s EMP Museum celebrates the world premiere of Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume with a grand opening celebration at EMP tonight.
Anthony Daniels played C-3PO and Billy Dee Williams who played Lando Calrissian take the detour from Cloud City to the Emerald City.
EMP has transformed into a fully-operational interplanetary hub, bringing together fans and Star Wars enthusiasts of every generation for an evening of epic intergalactic activities to celebrate.
The Smithsonian Exhibition Exploring the Power of Star Wars™ Costumes will begins a national tour tonight at Seattle’s EMP Museum. Iconic costumes from “a galaxy far, far away” are presented in the Smithsonian traveling exhibition, Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars™ and the Power of Costume. The exhibition begins a 12-city national tour at EMP Museum in Seattle where it will be on view Jan. 31 through Oct. 4, 2015.
Curated from the collection of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Rebel, Jedi, Princess, Queen: Star Wars and the Power of Costume is a partnership of the museum, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Lucasfilm. George Lucas imagined and created a fantastical world filled with dynamic characters who told the timeless story of the hero’s journey. The costumes shaped the identities of these now famous characters, from the menacing black mask of Darth Vader and the gilded suit of C-3PO, to the lavish royal gowns of Queen Amidala and a bikini worn by Princess Leia when enslaved by Jabba the Hutt.
Presenting nearly 60 of the finest hand-crafted costumes from the first six blockbuster Star Wars films, the exhibition uncovers the challenges, the intricate processes and the remarkable artistry of Lucas, the concept artists and costume designers. The costumes reflect an eclectic mix of cultural, historical and mythical sources that add rich texture to the story. Through nine presentational “chapters”—Introduction: Dressing a Galaxy; Jedi versus Sith: Form, Function and Design; Concept and Design for Royalty and Beyond; Symbolism and Military Power; Outlaws and Outsiders; All Corners of the Galaxy: The Galactic Senate; After the Throne: Padmé’s Journey; Darth Vader: Iconic Villain; and Droid™ Design: C-3PO and R2-D2—visitors will explore the creative process from Lucas’s vision through concept drawings by artists such as Ralph McQuarrie and Iain McCaig, to the final costume designs of John Mollo and Trisha Biggar, among others.
Here’s a gallery of some of the drawings and costumes from the epic franchise:
Tonight fans can explore the exhibition (making a world premiere in Seattle) and enjoy special guests including Daniels, Williams, a DJ set by Vox Mod, live performance by D20 Brass Band, spotlight talks, photo ops, and fan-centered activities like gaming, costume contests, drink specials and more surprises.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive in costume and pay tribute to their favorite characters across the Galactic Empire or New Republic – depending on which side of The Force calls you.
By Editor