John Waters’ Iconic ‘Hairspray’ Roach Dress, Divine’s Bar Cart and ‘Cry Baby’s’ Guitar: Must-See Props From the Academy’s ‘Pope of Trash’ Exhibit

variety.com:

John Waters shocked audiences with “Pink Flamingos” more than 50 years ago, he probably didn’t foresee major museum exhibitions of his trashy aesthetic and irreverent filmmaking.

But half a century later, he’s become the elder statesman of rebellion, and the Academy Museum is celebrating Baltimore’s treasure with a career-spanning exhibit and accompanying film retrospective.

Opening Sunday in Los Angeles, the extensive exhibit includes 400 pieces over 12 galleries. At the preview, Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said, “John Waters: Pope of Trash is a salute to an individual creative voice and the distinctive contributions he has made over the past six decades, not only to the art of film but to American pop culture.” Among the many must-see props and costumes on display were the jackets Johnny Depp wore in the 1990 film “Cry Baby” and the prop electric chair from “Female Trouble.” Speaking at the preview, Waters said he was grateful to be alive for it.

Waters said, “I wish my parents could be here because they always made me believe that I could do whatever i want, even though they were horrified by what I was doing.” He added, “If I hadn’t had the outlet to use all my antisocial lunatics that I put in my scenes who knows what would have happened.” As part of the exhibition, the Academy Museum will be screening 1994’s “Serial Mom” on 35mm with Waters in attendance.