I think, really, the problem is that I would like there to be an actual Wes Anderson exhibition. Whilst I have no particular gripe with Accidentally Wes Anderson, this was never going to scratch the real itch.
I say no particular gripe - maybe not quite true. I did used to follow the Instagram account, but eventually unfollowed it. Realistically, all I really wanted was a photo every day or two. But the algorithm must be fed and sacrifices must be made, and so the account began posting more often, and as such moved away from what makes a Wes Anderson shot a Wes Anderson shot to just, “this photo is symmetrical”. It lost the art of curation.
Here, though, that curation is - through necessity of an exhibition space - restored. The AWA exhibition boasts 200 photos from the account’s lifespan - some of them ones I actually remember, which is a good sign. I am delighted to spot one from Bristol, although I have my doubts that it’s still there. They’re laid out well, although Phoebe’s suggestion of having footprints on the ground in front of each display such that you might get a perfectly symmetrical photo of some symmetrical photos is a strong one indeed.
What I find baffling is the decision to have reproductions of landmarks and objects (trees, shacks, crossing signs) from some of the photos - as if I’m meant to think “oh look it’s the thing from the photo!”? Like they’re objects from actual Wes Anderson films. But they’re not. They don’t have that cachet. It contributes to a certain sense of self-satisfaction of the place, the idea that what is basically a tribute account is worthy of cultural and artistic merit. Which is reflected in the insane merch pricing of £3 for a sticker. Not even a sticker that I could feasibly pretend was a Wes Anderson sticker, but a very obviously Accidentally Wes Anderson sticker. Wild.
In the event, we’re in and out in 30 minutes (despite the website claiming an average visit length of 60-70 minutes). That’s about as long as the novelty can handle, and it’s more time for Phoebe and me to go have dinner and catch up, so it’s not really a complaint in the scheme of things.