On Saturday, July 13, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Canada, will unveil the Canadian-exclusive presentation of “It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection,” with presenting sponsor Cosmo Music. This otherworldly and imaginative exhibition features a trove of rare artwork and collectible objects amassed over decades by collector Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of Metallica. Exploring the interplay of creativity, emotion and popular culture, the exhibition includes more than 100 pieces from 20th-century cinema ranging from “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1921), to “Alien” (1979). “It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection” is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Mass., and will be on view at the ROM through Jan. 5, 2020.
“Horror and sci-fi are among the most versatile, dynamic and enduring genres of cinema,” says Josh Basseches, ROM director and CEO. “Acting as a mirror for societal fears, these films and the accompanying artwork reflect the collective cultural anxieties of the time. This evocative exhibition deepens our understanding of the evolution of cinema art and its relationship to culture.”
“It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Art Collection” features rare cinema posters from the 1920s to 1980, including the only surviving copy of the original 1931 “Frankenstein” poster, as well as one-of-a-kind electric guitars from Hammett’s collection and authentic movie costumes with life-size mannequins. The exhibition traces how, decade by decade, horror and sci-fi cinema responded to a number of broad cultural events and developments. Each section of the exhibition uses poster art to convey underlying anxieties of particular eras, including the fear of mortality around the Great Depression of the1930s; scientific progress in the mid-20th century; the fear of invasion and espionage post-1945; and the rise of feminism in the 1960s.
“Like the films they promote, these pieces are important metaphors for the issues of the times in which they were created,” according to Arlene Gehmacher, ROM curator of Canadian Paintings, Prints and Drawings. “Some of the posters are riveting. They can provoke, excite, and enthrall, reflecting but also shaping the visible and psychological fears of an individual, community, or nation.”
Hammett has dedicated the last three decades to creating one of the world’s most important cinema-art collections and credits it as a primary source of inspiration for his own musical creativity. "I got into the business of collecting horror, which is really not a business at all, a long time ago. I think it’s become my midnight calling or maybe my lifetime obsession. I guess some would say obsession, some may say occupation, and others would say it’s just plain insanity," stated Hammett. "It is very exciting for me to have Toronto be the second stop on our quest to bring my collection to everyone who is genuinely interested in these horror movie posters, props, and memorabilia. Canada is a great country, Toronto is an amazing city, and I’m honored to be able to start crossing borders with my collection at the Royal Ontario Museum."
"We'd be lying if we said that we didn't scream in excitement when this opportunity was presented to us. Working with the ROM has been nothing short of incredible, and we're so excited for ‘It's Alive’ to open in July. What a perfect exhibition to align with our brand," said Vanessa Azzoli, marketing manager, Cosmo Music.
“It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection” is a separately ticketed exhibition. ROM members enjoy free admission and exclusive opportunities to experience ROM exhibitions and programs.
The exhibit will then travel to the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, S.C., where it will be presented from Feb. 13, 2020, to May 17, 2020.
About the ROM
Founded in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America, Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. As the country’s preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new discoveries, the ROM plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the artistic, cultural, and natural world. Combining its original heritage architecture with the contemporary Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the ROM serves as a national landmark and a dynamic cultural destination in the heart of Toronto for all to enjoy.
To learn more about the Royal Ontario Museum, visit www.rom.on.ca/en.
About Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Metallica, is also an avid collector of classic horror and sci-fi movie posters. This exhibition explores the interplay of creativity, emotion and popular culture through 135 works from 20th-century cinema, including posters by an international array of graphic designers, rare works by unidentified masters, as well as related memorabilia such as electric guitars, lobby cards, film props and costumes.