Exhibit unites different generations of Bond fans

By KARYN BONFIGLIO
Get Out

Martin, Aston Martin — the sexy silver car immortalized in the classic, 1964 film “Goldfinger” — martini shakers and Jaws’ jaws.

They’re just some of the artifacts that will go on display Saturday, when “Bond, James Bond. The Exhibition,” makes its United States debut at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.

But you don’t have to be a 007 fan to enjoy the exhibit, according to Sheila Grinell, Arizona Science Center president and CEO.

“There’s a little bit of something for everybody,” she says.

The exhibit will display famous props, artifacts and gadgets actually used in the Bond films, including laser-watches and bullet cuff links from Q’s workshop, Max Zorin’s blimp from “A View to a Kill” and the futuristic escape plane, Acrostar, from “Octopussy.”

In addition to the movie memorabilia, “Bond. James Bond.” also features behind-the-scenes storyboards, interactive computer stations that give visitors a taste of “spy intrigue” and the glamor that’s become a trademark of the franchise’s image — dresses worn by Bond girls.

“There’s one marvelous outfit I wish the curators would let me try on,” Grinell says, laughing.
As a baby boomer, Grinell grew up with the Bond films. At first she thought the exhibit would only appeal to “old people.”

“But, that’s not true at all,” she says. “Young people, kids 10 years old, also know (Bond). And you know why?”

Video games.

“We were delighted to find out it’s equally appealing to men and women and to boys and girls,” Grinell says.
To pump up the educational value of the exhibit — this is the Arizona Science Center, after all — Grinell’s staff will include demonstrations that explore the science behind the crazy stunts and special effects in the movies.

“We’re going to be doing a little something on the science behind some of the more remarkable special effects,” Grinell says. “They are pretty remarkable.”
“Bond. James Bond.” will open in the center’s new $4.9 million expansion space, “in order to do big travelling exhibitions like this,” Grinell says.
Before the expansion, the center’s permanent exhibits had be taken off the display floor to make room for special shows, like “Bond. James Bond.”
“So, in order to do the big shows and bring something special in and keep the stuff that our families and teachers rely on, we needed more room,” Grinell says.

She hopes the high-profile, movie-themed exhibit will appeal to a wide audience.

“In our community, where population changes so fast not everybody who’s new in town knows that we’re here and the kinds of resources we do have to offer,” Grinell says. “So we thought doing this exhibition would be fun, and it would make the whole center more visible to some of the newcomers.”































 
 


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