Sometimes it may seem that all I watch are classic movies, but I really enjoy all eras from the silent age to the present. One filmmaker I’ve long appreciated is Wes Anderson. Since the days of Bottle Rocket and Rushmore, I’ve admired his stylistic approach to filmmaking. Recently, I was invited to view Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition at the Santa Monica Museum of Art and, though it’s only tangentially related to the filmmaker, I decided to check it out.

Ok, here’s where I show signs of my age. When I decided to go, I was unaware of the Accidentally Wes Anderson community. I just thought I was seeing an exhibit put together by the museum. Guess I’ve been living under a rock.

Apparently, back in 2017 a couple from Brooklyn started sharing travel posts on Instagram that were inspired by the aesthetic of Wes Anderson. This quickly grew into an online travel community where people from all around the world share photos and locations that evoke the spirit of his films. It’s grown into 1 million plus members and has spawned a book, puzzle and exhibition.

The exhibition has been shown in Seoul, Tokyo, London and now, Los Angeles.  Taking over the Santa Monica Art Museum it features over 200 images of destinations around the world.

All the images were taken by members of the Accidentally Wes Anderson community. Regular folks like you and me who found beautiful, locations around the world that happen to match the design aesthetic of the filmmaker.

As I wandered through the exhibition, I couldn’t help but be reminded of specific Wes Anderson films that may have served as inspiration for the photographers.

A little Moonrise Kingdom?

How about The Grand Budapest Hotel?

The Darjeeling Limited, perhaps?

One thing that always struck me about Wes Anderson’s filming locations was how otherworldly they were. How their pastel color palette and quirky aesthetic simply did not seem to exist in the real world. Even familiar locations were presented in a way that seemed ureal. But, after viewing the exhibition, I’m starting to think the world of Wes Anderson is closer to reality than I previously thought.

It’s actually right there in front of us, if we look at it through the right lens.

I went to the exhibition thinking it would be a fun outing and it turned out to be so much more than I expected. Not only was it visually appealing and enjoyable to wander through, but it made me want to get out there and explore the world. I recently spent two weeks in Europe and viewing the images made me want to get right back on a plane and go back.

Whether you’re a fan of Wes Anderson or not, it’s a fun experience. In fact, my companion wasn’t at all familiar with his work, but she loved the colorful images and fun atmosphere, and enjoyed the exhibit as much as I did. So, don’t think it’s just for a niche audience; it does have universal appeal. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition is at the Santa Monica Museum of Art until July 28, 2024 and is definitely worth checking out.