Around Town-The Psycho Barn at The Met

I've always enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock's films (and his Sealyham terriers)

and since I love horror movies, Psycho is one of my favorites

anyone familiar with Hitchcock's work knows what a perfectionist he was and of course the film is filled with iconic images.  One of which is Norman's creepy haunted house on the hill 

Hitchcock based the house, which was actually just a mock up with three walls shot at an angle,

 on this famous Edward Hopper painting The House by The Railroad.

The painting has an eerily lonely feel, perfect for the creepy film.  The fact that the house in the painting is by a railroad also meshes with the plot of the film, since Norman Bates's home and hotel are right near the interstate highway.  

When I heard that artist Cornelia Parker was building a replica of the Psycho house in the Metropolitan Museum's rooftop garden for part of their transitional object series I had to see it.    Parker choose the image because she thought it would contrast nicely with the Metropolita sky line and the view of central park. It's fashioned from a deconstructed Dutch red barn and is title Psycho Barn.

We went to see the house on  Mother's Day, which was eerily appropriate considering Norman's relationship with his mother, and it really does look great, particularly with the skyline behind it.

The Psycho Barn will be on display through October 31, 2016.  Admission to the museum is suggested donation only and included access to the rooftop garden and all special exhibits.