Stories in the Dark

Using rare, original magic lantern machines, and beautiful Victorian slides, a unique exhibition by artists creating new work especially for The Beaney. The magic lantern is a projection device invented in the 17th century. The machines used the light of candles and oil lamps to produce shows that took people’s breath away as they saw projected moving images for the very first time. These intricate machines were often used by magicians and conjurers to create spellbinding tales of ghosts and spirits in the darkness of the projection room. In contrast to our digital age in which technology is largely hidden and incomprehensible, the magic lantern’s relatively simple mechanism, a direct ancestor of the motion picture projector, enables us to understand how moving image works and creates a sense of wonder. For this exhibition nine selected artists are using material from The Beaney’s unique collections, and the magic lantern itself, as a starting point to create brand new exciting works. Don’t miss this unique celebration of the very beginning of cinema, that will bring vintage machines and technology bang up to date. Stories in the Dark is curated by artist Ben Judd, and is a co-commission by The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and Whitstable Biennale. Dates of the 2016 festival are 4 to 12 June. See www.whitstablebiennale.com for more information.

Suitable for
16-17
18+


Website
www.canterburymuseums.co.uk/beaney

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/se000216?id=EVENT555627