COSI Center of Science and Industry in Columbus Ohio 1989?
I REMEMBER THAT EXHIBIT.
I actually saw it at the Science Museum of Minnesota, probably a year or two before it made it's way to Ohio, and it was a pretty formative experience. To this day, I often cite that afternoon in downtown St. Paul as one of the main reasons I collect film-related posters and 1:6 figures; I can't afford to house an original American Werewolf in London animatronic head in a giant glass case, nor can I ogle the actual matte painting of the Death Star II's landing bay on a daily basis but I can appreciate the craftsmanship of these 12" recreations and hang a print or two in the ol' office.
For the record, the traveling exhibit was called Special Effects: The Science of Movie and Television Magic and if I knew at 10 what I know now, I'd have appreciated it even more. The iconic artistry on display was off the charts.