Images(8)

deadmau5 Stage Outfit

On exhibit

Artifact TypeEnsemble

Manufacturer Jim Henson’s Creature Shop

Designer Lance Thackeray

Manufacturer LocationHollywood, California, USA

Date2011

There are few stage props as whimsical and recognizable as the trademark mau5head worn by Canadian electronic-dance music producer Joel Zimmerman—better known as deadmau5. One of many versions of his iconic mau5head, this cheesy iteration was the result of a fan-based design contest. After receiving almost 2000 submissions, deadmau5 chose Lance Thackeray’s Cheese Head design as the winner—favouring its humour and simplicity. The 3D version was produced in Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in Hollywood and worn by deadmau5 during live performances, and on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 2012.

On loan from deadmau5

Operation/FunctionThis garment consists in a complete helmet piece that is fashioned as a mouse caricature, with a sphere-shaped head and two large ear attachments. The head portion is painted dark yellow and features two semicircular white eyeballs with black x’s, and an open mouth covered with black mesh. The ears also painted dark yellow and both the head and ears are molded with indentations and holes.Cultural SignificanceJoel Zimmerman, professionally known as deadmau5, is one of the most iconic producers of modern electronic music, with a prop-inspired image that reflects the whimsy of his stage name. Perhaps the most recognizable prop he employs is the mau5 head, of which this artifact is an example. The Jim Henson Company has been at the forefront of experimental puppetry in film and television since the 1960s, having revolutionized the use of lighter materials and pioneering animatronic and digital technologies. Their products are among the most revered in popular culture, including characters of the massively successful Sesame Street and The Muppet Show series.Users/PerformersDeadmau5 is the moniker behind Canadian electronic musician and DJ, Joel Thomas Zimmerman (born 5 January 1981 in Niagara Falls, Ontario). Zimmerman has been releasing studio albums, both solo and in collaboration, since 2005 to great acclaim. His iconic logo, which features a coloured “mau5 head”, is often worn as headdress during live performances. Notable releases include Get Scraped (2005), Random Album Title (2008), Album Title Goes Here (2012), and while(1<2) (2014). Zimmerman performed at the Grammy Awards in 2012 in a special telecast focusing on electronic music, and holds the recognition of being the first electronic musician to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. He has headlined music festivals around the globe, including Sonar, Virgin Mobile Free Fest, Electric Daisy Carnival, Outside Lands, and Lollapalooza.

Object numberL.2016.12.1-3