Star Wars exhibition opens in Bradford

This is not the only touring exhibition of models, costumes and sci-fi designs from George Lucas’s blockbuster quadrilogy. In addition to this UK show, which was organised by the Barbican in London, there is a rival in the US called “Star Wars—The Magic of Myth”, taken from the the popular Smithsonian exhibition of props, costumes and models from the same films. The US version began at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in 1998 and is currently at Chicago’s Field Museum, half way through its planned seven-city tour, which will end at the Brooklyn Museum of Art (February-June 2002). The UK display focuses on designs, original illustrations and conceptual models, whereas the US show has more costumes and props. Both exhibitions have the essential black Darth Vader costume, the Star Wars series’ bad guy that everyone loves to hate.