Monday, May 16, 2016

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.  

16 comments:

  1. We just watched Psycho and Mommie Dearest. Sweet
    Lily & Edward

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  2. I luffs Hitchcock films...best watched from behind a cushion!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. Watching Psycho in a movie theatre where no one knew the plot is one of the best movie experiences ever. Everyone was screaming. No one believed Janet Leigh got killed.

    I love that house.

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  4. I luuuuurve Hitchcock. This piece is really cool. :)

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  5. Love Hitchcock!
    Amazingly creepy vibe carries through to the rooftop very well.

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  6. Oooh, fabulous! The Psycho Mansion is my favourite house xx

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  7. That is seriously cool! I adore haunted and otherwise spooky houses and would beeline it to this Hitchcock classic in a heartbeat, too. It's great that you guys were able to visit.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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  8. I love Hitchcock, too. Vertigo and North by Northwest are my favorites.

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  9. It is a creepy house. SHE remembers seeing it at Universal Studios in CA. (SHE has always wanted a Sealyham--but they are rarer than scotties here.)

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  10. Wow, that is so cool. Creepy house replica, but looks great! And I love the view from there, too :-) I actually haven't seen films by Hitchcock. Just bits. One day I gotta sit down and watch the whole film!

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  11. I love that Hopper painting (any of his paintings, actually) and I love Hitchcock, but I never knew the connection. Love the photo of you posing in front of that amazing house. xxx

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  12. That Hopper painting is fab - and the installation does look suitably creepy.

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  13. LOL! How great to go see this house on Mother's day! That was very fitting! I love Psycho and love hearing all these things about the inspiration for the house and how the house was actually just a mock up with three walls! I've seen the house at Universal Studios during the theme park tour ride... not sure the details of the house they had there but it was fun to see it :)

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  14. Looks great, must have been fun to go and see.

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