X-Files Artifacts at the Smithsonian

Wednesday July 16, 2008

Categories: Cool Stuff, Understanding Media and Pop Culture

The setting was almost too perfect. In order to get to the ceremony for the donation of X-Files artifacts and memorabilia I had to go into the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History through the "staff health center" entrance inside the parking lot and be escorted to the event by an intern who took me through eerily empty exhibition halls, all the items disassembled and covered with plastic sheets. What would Mulder and Scully say? Is the truth out there?

The museum is closed to the public for renovations (or so they say...) but the donation of this important collection was an event, and I was lucky enough to be invited. The people behind The X-Files television series and movies were there to donate artifacts from the show to the museum's permanent collection. The nine-season television show, with its second feature film to be released next week, starred David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents Mulder and Scully, caught up in a series of mysteries and conspiracies relating to the normal and the paranormal. The donated items include a "maquette" (model) of an alien used as a reference point in the first X-Files movie, a stiletto used by characters to exterminate aliens masquerading as people, an "I Want to Believe" poster that appeared in Mulder's office on the show and is signed by Carter and stars David Duchovney and Gillian Anderson, the annotated script from the very first episode with a page of storyboards, prop FBI badges and business cards, a photograph of Mulder's sister, Samantha, whose abduction by aliens is the motivation for his work, and the crucifix necklace worn by Agent Scully that symbolized her commitment to her faith.

"We are in the forever business," said Melinda Machado, director of the museum's Office of Public Affairs. They were delighted to make these items a part of the Smithsonian's "forever" collection of over 6000 artifacts from the world of entertainment, including Dorothy's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" and Mr. Rogers' sweater. Curator Dwight Blocker Bowers spoke about the way that the show reflected the ambivalence of contemporary society with its dark themes, ironic humor, and balance between skepticism and hope.

The creator of the series, Chris Cooper, said, "my love is telling suspense thrillers with smart people and interesting subjects." He was especially proud of staying with the show throughout its nine years, citing Robert Graves: "one of the hardest energies to find and sustain is maintenance energy," and remained committed to "creating it anew every week." He said that one of the best pieces of advice he received was from a production designer who read the original script and told him, "Don't show them anything. Keep it in the shadows. You will have no time and no money and what they don't see is scarier than what they do see."

Carter, who recently completed a three-month fellowship in theoretical physics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, said he liked to create scripts that began with hard science and then asked "what if?" The students there knew of the show but had not seen it and he realized there was a new audience to be introduced to these stories and characters. He assured us that the new movie will satisfy the non-fans and the casual fans, and "will not insult the hard-core fans."

We want to believe!

Video clips from the ceremony: