The Bedroom at the End of the Universe
Chris Klimek
Simon Birch's installation The Barmecide Feast, recreating the French bedroom seen in the climax of 2001: A Space Odyssey, is on view at the National Air and Space Museum April 8-May 28.
Over at my day job yesterday I got a sneak peak of a unique exhibit opening at the National Air and Space Museum on Sunday: an installation by artist Simon Birch that reconstructs the mysterious Louis XVI-era bedroom from the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey at 1:1 scale. Because yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the film's release, I wrote a piece about it. I drew heavily from Michael Benson's new making-of book Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece, which I've already plugged on Pop Culture Happy Hour but which I'm glad to plug again here.
Stanley Kubrick (beardo in the blue blazer) on the set in 1966 or '67. (Taschen)
And while I'm plugging away like a hairball in a shower drain, let me remind you that Pal-for-Life Glen Weldon and I are on the long bill of amusements included in this Saturday's Yuri's Night celebration at the National Air and Space Museum, presented by Brightest Young Things, where you, too, can walk through Starchild-in-waiting Dave Bowman's French bedroom as long as you're willing to remove or shoes or put protective booties (provided) on over them. The event includes an open bar and DJs and dancing and two aging nerds speaking into microphones about the legacy and impact of Kubrick's landmark sci-fi movie. Tickets are on sale now.