Star Wars lands in Brussels
For more than four decades, audiences around the world have marveled at the adventures of Luke and Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi heroes of a galaxy seemingly far, far away.
Fascination in the perennially popular Star Wars saga is set to come alive for a new generation with an exciting new exhibition that has landed in our own galaxy – well, Belgium anyway.
“STAR WARS Identities”, as the exhibition is called, gives devotees of the George Lucas classic the chance to (re)discover the unforgettable Star Wars characters “in a whole new way.”. It also gives fans the opportunity to take part in the famous movie saga’s universe.
As befits an intergalactic story, the exhibition is currently in the middle of a world tour which has now brought it to Brussels where it will be on show at Palais 2 – Brussels Expo until 2 September, its last stop in Europe.
Visitors are promised a “better understanding” of what makes the Star Wars characters who they are, including Luke and Anakin Skywalker, possibly cinema’s most famous father and son duo.
Developed and produced by Montreal’s X3 Productions in collaboration with Lucas film Ltd., the exhibition makes use of an extensive archive collection from the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Arguably, the centerpiece of the expo is the vast and exclusive collection of some 200 original objects from the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum, featuring props, models, costumes, and artwork from the original Star Wars films. This rich collection spans the original Star Wars story, drawing from the classic (1977-1983) and prequel (1999-2005) trilogies and the animated series The Clone Wars.
There are also artifacts from the more recently released Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Fan favourites like Darth Vader, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Yoda, and the Millennium Falcon – among many others.
The Star Wars movies, of course, have broken box office records and won countless awards over the decades, but it is in the public’s imagination that the franchise has truly made its mark by enchanting audiences of all ages.
The films continue to resonate today because of their universality: audiences identify with the characters of Star Wars and may also recognize themselves in their journeys.
Sophie Desbiens, communications director of X3 Productions, told this website, “This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the beloved characters of Star Wars.”
“We get a deeper understanding of their identities, and, at the same time, we get a deeper understanding of our own. The collection, the interactive components, and the scientific content work hand in hand here to create a seamless and exciting experience for our visitors. It’s a character-driven adventure into identity.”
“STAR WARS Identities” promises to put the visitor at the centre of the exhibition with an interactive experience that spans the duration of any visit. Closely interwoven with the collection and the educational content, the experience uses technology to help visitors of all ages create their own personal and original Star Wars identity.
The expo organisers worked closely with the Montréal Science Centre and a committee of scientific advisors in pulling the different strands together.
The expo has three main themes: the origins of the characters, the influences that shape them and, lastly, the choices they make during their life. These components form the backbone of the exhibition, exploring the complex notion of identity both in the real world and in creative fiction.
It is an impressive effort and all the work of a team of specialists from a variety of scientific fields, including genetics, neuropsychology, health sciences, and psychology.
Try to catch this fascinating exhibition before it takes off on the rest of its global adventure – it is sure to delight visitors of all generations.
Good to know:
Further details, including ticket info, are available at www.starwarsidentities.be
