Academy Museum reveals long-awaited opening date in surprise Oscar-night announcement
In all the excitement over Oscar night’s landmark win by “Parasite”
for Best Picture, one of the ceremony’s other most notable moments might have been
overlooked in post-show hubbub.
History was also made during the Academy Awards presentation
in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre on Sunday when Tom Hanks announced to the
audience – and to millions of broadcast viewers around the world – that the long-awaited
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will be opening its doors in 2020.
Hanks, who made the announcement in his capacity as museum
trustee and co-chair, alongside co-chair Annette Bening and chair Bob Iger, of
the Academy Museum campaign, started with comments about LA’s abundance of museums
(“We even have a museum dedicated to selfies. I’m not sure why, but there it
is.”).
He went on to add, “But there has never been a museum
dedicated to the art and science of motion pictures, but it is being born, this
labor of love,” before joking that he had spent the day “laying drywall” side
by side with fellow Oscar nominees Scarlett Johansson and Brad Pitt.
“Brad Pitt was working on the roof with his shirt off, as
was Colin Jost,” said Hanks, referring to the SNL cast member who is currently
dating Johansson, “and, dude, that was no contest.”
After those kerfuffle-causing
remarks, the actor went on to announce that the Academy Museum will open
its doors to the public on Monday, December 14, 2020.
Following the live announcement, the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences issued a statement, in which Academy Museum Director
Bill Kramer said:
“We cannot wait to welcome the whole world to the Academy
Museum. When our doors open on December 14, our thrilling combination of
exhibitions, screenings, and public and educational programs will create
unparalleled experiences for movie lovers everywhere.”
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson added:
“The dream of this museum will finally become a reality — a
gathering place for filmmakers and movie fans from around the world, where we
can share the Oscars legacy and further fulfill the Academy’s mission to
connect the world through cinema.”
Adding his own comments, Ron Meyer, chair of the Academy
Museum Board of Trustees and Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal, said:
“This is a museum that only the Academy could create:
exciting and illuminating; historic and contemporary. We look forward to
sharing the global reach of cinema.”
Major construction has been already been completed on the
Academy Museum’s structure, designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano in
a revitalization of the iconic Saban Building, located on at Wilshire and Fairfax on Los
Angeles’s Miracle Mile. The Museum had previously announced that it has reached
95% of its $388 million pre-opening campaign, and that installation of four
floors of immersive, innovative exhibitions is now beginning.
According to the statement:
“The Academy Museum will be the world’s premier institution
dedicated to the art and science of movies. Located on Wilshire and Fairfax in
Los Angeles, the Museum will be simultaneously immersive, experimental, educational,
and entertaining. More than a museum, this dynamic film center will offer
unparalleled experiences and insights into movies and moviemaking.”
You can find out more about what the Academy Museum has in
store for us at their website.
Published at Tue, 11 Feb 2020 01:46:16 +0000