A Master and His Monsters

LACMA's peculiar glimpse into the mysterious mind of Guillermo del Toro.

Somewhere, in the suburbs of Los Angeles, there is a place called "Bleak House." To be certain, I know far too little about this place to make judgments about it's strange and mysterious rooms. But I'm absolutely certain that Felix Flores would be thrilled to live there. The person who calls it home (or at least a residence) is famed director Guillermo del Toro. And while I've never been to "Bleak House," I enjoyed a tantalizing glimpse into this strange place thanks to the brilliant curators at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters, has since closed.  I saw it toward the end of it's run during a trip designed as a tribute to Felix.  And this exhibit was a serendipitous, unexpected surprise, a macabre and sinister tribute to a best friend whose curious personality is greatly missed.

Curious Cabinets

Throughout the exhibit were cabinets, many created for movies, filled with curious objects and curios.

The Monster

Frankenstein's monster is a recurring theme throughout the exhibit.  I loved this giant head modeled on Boris Karloff as the monster.

The Mad Scientist and His Monsters

These life-sized sculptures reference Ernest Thesiger as Dr. Frankenstein with his monsters (Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester).

Boris and Jack

The exhibit featured a number of life-sized, hyper realistic creations like this of Boris Karloff and famed make-up artist Jack Pierce.

The Thoughtful Monster

This painting of Frankenstein's Monster entranced me with it's melancholy, compassionate gaze.

H. P. Lovecraft

Guillermo del Toro is a big fan of horror-fiction writer, H. P. Lovecraft, seen here as a life-sized sculpture. 

Obsessive Collections

I've inadvertantly started collections of things like hands and skulls.  But I love how obsessive and specific del Toro's collections are, like these busts of H. P. Lovecraft.

Ray Harryhausen and Little Friends

This life-sized sculpture featured the inventor of "Dynamation" with some of the characters that made him famous.

Skeletons Everywhere

This detail from the sculpture of Ray Harryhausen  featured his infamous skeletons modeled on those found in movies like Jason and the Argonauts.