Enlarge / "Look dead. No, more dead." Ars writer in a horror playground inspired by 2017 film adaptation of Stephen King's It.Rachael Porter
Horror-movie fans are known for their love of immersive "haunts:" special exhibits of events that pay tribute to their favorite films while letting the fans in on a bit of the scary action. That's the thinking behind I Like Scary Movies, a pop-up interactive art installation that just opened in Los Angeles.
I Like Scary Movies is the brainchild of "experiential" artist Maximillian Castillo (who goes by Maximillian), well-known for his interactive immersive creations, like a Snakes on Plane installation or a Pirates of the Caribbean walk-through for San Diego Comic-Con. He's also a horror-movie buff, and the current exhibit—housed in the historic art deco building The Desmond, along Los Angeles' Miracle Mile—draws inspiration from five films in particular: The Shining, It, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Beetlejuice, and The Lost Boys.
"I wanted to do something that was more like an interactive art installation—something that isn't your standard Halloween scare maze, which I love, but I feel like we can celebrate and interpret these movies over and over again," Castillo said in an interview. "Other than going through a walk-through maze once a year during Halloween, there's really no other way to really enjoy these movies and dive deeper into the content of these films and these worlds."
The "I Like Scary Movies" interactive art exhibit runs in Los Angeles through June 16. Jennifer Ouellette
A piece inspired by a famous scene from The Shining. Jennifer Ouellette
"Come play with us…" Jennifer Ouellette
Pause for a photo on Danny's tricycle. Jennifer Ouellette
Stick your head in Pennywise's mouth, if you dare. Jennifer Ouellette
"We all float down here." Trying on the yellow coat is optional. Jennifer Ouellette
A piece that cleverly evokes poor Georgie's paper boat. Jennifer Ouellette
A 2000-pound recreation of Freddy Krueger's hand. Visitors can wrap hinged fingers around themselves for dramatic effect. Jennifer Ouellette
A meta moment: mannequin snapping a selfie (unaware of the Hand of Krueger) in an exhibit where people snap selfies. Jennifer Ouellette
The ghosts of Barbara and Adam Maitland from Beetlejuice do their best to scare off visitors. Jennifer Ouellette
Here lies Betelgeuse… and maybe you. Rachael Porter
