A journey through cinema history – Twixt Two Worlds at Whitechapel Gallery, London

Pioneers of early cinema alongside leading contemporary artists are shown in a forthcoming show, the Twixt Two Worlds, at Whitechapel Gallery, this month.

1. WG. William Friese-Greene_SelfPortrait2_1890                                                William Friese-Greene Self-Portrait c. 1890. Silver gelatin print
Courtesy of Daily Herald Archive,National Media Museum and Science & Society Picture Library

The exhibition, which is drawn from the collections of Contemporary Art Society and mainly inspired by John and Williams Barnes’ work, maps the pivotal moment in cinema history when still photography evolved into moving images. The show explores this graduate evolution through objects, photographs and films.

from E3 4RR, The Fight                      Susan Hiller, The Fight, 2007. Courtesy of the artist and Matt’s Gallery, London

Highlights of the Contemporary Art Society exhibition include magic lanterns and slides from the late 19th century, films and photographs by pioneers such as William Friese-Greene , Eadweard Muybridge and Albert Smith.  Alongside these influential figures are works by contemporary artists including Susan Hiller, Saskia Olde-Wolbers and Steven Pippin who revisit the history and techniques of early film.

4.  E.J Marey 2                 Étienne-Jules Marey. Photographic magic lantern slide
Courtesy of Kingston Museum and Heritage Service, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Twix Two Worlds is the fourth and final exhibition in a year-long series of displays showcasing important works of art from regional museums across England. The idea is conceived by Arts Council-funded Curatorial Fellow Gaia Tedone in collaboration with the Whitechapel Gallery.

by Xenia Founta

The exhibition is on from June 10 until August 31, at Gallery 7, at
Whitechapel Gallery, Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7Q