DESIGN: James Bond Exhibition at Minsheng Art Museum

Good design definitely has a place along side the conceptual. The Minsheng Art Museum, in Shanghai, China proves this as former hosts to contemporary artists Gabriel Lester, Qi Qin, and Lee Kit among others; and as current exhibitors of Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, featuring the cars, costumes, and gadgets of the movies based on the Ian Flemming novels. Designing 007 first opened at London’s Barbican Centre in July last year when the latest Bond movie Skyfall opened. Now this exhibit shows a few months behind the Chinese release of the film in January. The separation of time between the film's release and setting it at the Minsheng only helps the exhibit stand on it's own and seem like a lot less of an advertisement for the film. There are items from from the ordinary set prop that gives the movies their authenticity; to the classic garment, object, or machine that conveys the opulent world of international espionage; to the fantastical gadget that all nerds, myself included, need to one day own.

[caption id="attachment_64304" align="alignnone" width="658"] Wax figure of Sean Connery and famed Aston Martin DB5[/caption]

Used in 6 Bond films, including Skyfall, the 1963 Aston Martin DB5 is a favorite of production company Eon Productions, who has made all but two of the franchise's movies. The silver-birch beauty has been dubbed "the most famous car in the world."

[caption id="attachment_64300" align="alignnone" width="661"] The Man With the Golden Gun prop[/caption]

For the villain that has everything, or Trinidad James, the golden gun from the Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

[caption id="attachment_64302" align="alignnone" width="661"] Bond Girl Bathing Suits[/caption]

Ladies, looking for that perfect accessory for your surf side outfit? To the right is the bathing suit worn by the first Bond girl 'Honey Rider,' and the other is Halle Berry's bikini in Die Another Day. Missing: Ursula Andress and Halle Berry and wax figures beneath the bathing suits.

[caption id="attachment_64306" align="alignnone" width="664"] Personal items of Q in Skyfall[/caption]

The exhibit includes over 500 items used in and behind the scenes of the films. We hope Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style makes it's way through America. It runs at the Minsheng through June 3oth.

You can get more info about the exhibit and The Minsheng Art Museum here.