Bragging: I'm a lucky girl!

[TempestFae]

I do some freelance work for the Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. One of the joys of working there is that I get to wander through the puppet museum any time I want. Their permanent exhibit has some great Henson puppets. I just about turned around and ran into a wall the first time I came around the corner that led me, unexpectedly, nose to beak with a Skeksis!

But they had a 'Labyrinth' temporary exhibit for a while! Nothing fixes a bad day like walking upstairs and gazing into Sir Didymus's face from less than a foot away. They also had the deaf Doorknocker, some of the dolls from Sarah's room, some of the Helping Hands, and Alf and Ralph. I kept meaning to copy down all the runes on A&R's shields and translate them!

Unfortunately, they had to clear out that exhibit and send the puppets back, a few weeks ago, for a new shipment of Henson puppets. I haven't had the time to go back upstairs and see who all our new friends are!

[Bezzo]

That's pretty cool. Has age effected how they look or are they still in good condition? 

[TempestFae]

Didymus looked great. It was the dog-riding puppet, complete with saddle, and looking at all the detail on him was delightful. The Doorknocker, Alf and Ralf. and the props looked great, but the hands were pretty raggedy looking.

The on premises puppet build shop is fantastic and staffed by great artisans who do some good restoration work. But there's not much to really be done for what are essentially almost thirty year old, gnarly looking, heavy duty latex gloves.

[Bezzo]

You were really lucky to see them everyday! The only Labyrinth movie prop I've been close to is Jareth's riding crop when I visited the David Bowie is... exhibition earlier this year.

[Luthien]

Wow, you guys are so lucky to see those! Wish Florida had something Bowie or Labyrinth related.

[TempestFae]

And today, the Center announced their big new expansion! We're adding on a whole new wing for the Museum, Library and Education, and getting a donation of over 700 puppets and props from the Henson foundation! When it's done it's supposed to be the largest Henson exhibit in North America.
And I got my picture taken with Zoe muppet!

[TempestFae]

I've made friends with the guy doing the restoration work on a lot of the Henson puppets. I was in there on Friday, checking out a big body puppet he had been vacuuming while I in the rehearsal hall the day before, when I spotted it. A archival box labeled "Labyrinth Masks."

He asked if I wanted to see, and I didn't think I could say yes fast enough!

They weren't any of the hero masks, like the Jareth's, the Death's Head, or Long Nose. But they were lovely, and interesting. He said, "Hmmmm, they kind of look like goblin faces..." at which point I had to explain the whole scene.

"Oh, okay. I've only seen the movie once before so I guess that makes sense." 

Anyway, they're in really bad shape. The bases are cracked and the fabric and feathers have lost much of their color in the intervening years. But, they haven't been restored, yet. I've been told they're planning to populate the new exhibit in stages, so maybe these will get the same loving treatment I've seen lots of other props and puppets get in the last year. Eventually.

But, yeah, less than a foot away from the Crystal Ball Masquerade masks. 

[tink]

...wow...

although good to know that neoprene doesn't last. Buy leather.

[Bezzo]

So lucky!! It must be like a dream come true to be so close to all that Labyrinth stuff. 

[TempestFae]

Even aside from the Labyrinth stuff, it's a great place to work!