London (ap)
AN exhibition of the creative arts behind the making of the "Star Wars" movies with loans from Lucasfilm Ltd. in California closed at London's Barbican Center yesterday after drawing the largest attendance since the arts complex opened in 1982.
"We estimate before the final figures are in that over 140,000 people came during the 16 weeks. Our previous best was 117,626 for the paintings belonging to the City of London Corporation, but that was free," said spokeswoman Lisa Collins.
The center charged £10 (US$14.60) for adults and £6.50 (US$9.50) for children to see "The Art of Star Wars." Children under five years went free. The Barbican fashioned the exhibition using some 250 concept drawings, paintings, storyboards, models, costumes and props from the four films made so far, held in the archives of moviemaker George Lucas at Skywalker Ranch near San Francisco.
Visitors could see the different ways in which models were brought to life for the camera, operate an animatronic character, sit in one of the Podracers and try on creature masks.
"We are delighted it's been such a huge success," said John Hoole, director of the Barbican art galleries.
"Many of the visitors came to the Barbican for the first time. The films captured the public imagination across the generations, from veterans who saw the first film in 1977 to the more recent 'Phantom Menace' fans," he said.
The exhibition reopens Oct. 11 at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford, Yorkshire, where it runs through April 29, 2001.
"It will then tour Europe but venues are still being negotiated," Collins said.
