LACMA’s “Tim Burton” is two and a half shows, one of movie memorabilia, one of drawings—and then there are a few large sculptural pieces scattered around the campus. You can decide for yourself whether you want to see props and costumes from Burton’s movies. What you may not know is how engaging the drawings are. Burton the obsessive draughtsman is something like Henry Darger, only better than Darger because Burton can draw. Add to that elements of Alfred Kubin, Edward Gorey (of course), Gerald Scarfe, and (in the very earliest works) Mad magazine’s Don Martin.

Many New York critics blasted Burton’s “sculptures” as unworthy of MoMA display. The sculptural pieces, created for the show, amount to seven much-enlarged versions of drawings or movie miniatures. They’re basically gallery decoration/photo-ops and nothing to get too upset about. The one that works best as sculpture is a deer topiary recreated from Edward Scissorhands. In the museum context it resonates with Jeff Koons’ Puppy and seems to goof on Robert Irwin’s micromanaged palm garden.

LACMA says the show has 700 objects, of which I estimate 400 are drawings of monsters. Given the blockbuster crowds, you’re not likely to see everything, and the $20 timed tickets don’t invite repeat visits. In tomorrow’s post: the one Burton work you must not miss.

Tags: Alfred Kubin, Don Martin, Edward Gorey, Gerald Scarfe, Jeff Koons, LACMA, Robert Irwin, Tim Burton