JADAR

★★★★☆

Earlier this year, Lightroom brought an immersive experience, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), to Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. They are now back with three experiences: the aforementioned, VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, and The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)

★★★★☆

Written by Madi French

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) is a state-of-the-art wall-to-wall video loop following David Hockney’s artistry and personal history. The show is divided into six chapters showcasing his work, beautifully illustrated to capture his intensity. 

The score was breathtaking, specially curated by Nico Muhly, for this exhibition, and acted as a narrator guiding the experience. The visual cacophony was pulsing, bringing a heartbeat to the work. The juxtaposition of flashing images, dancing along the feet of spectators, up the walls and across the space paired expertly with Muhly’s composition. The exhibition brought a beautiful opportunity to audience members to sit with his work, and to really look at it, be present with the art and within the space. 

I found there was little entry for those who may be unaware of the tenure of his legacy. There were a few transitions between chapters that made the overall production feel disjointed. I felt an additional perspective would have greatly aided the overall story, as it felt there were pieces of the interview with Hockney that left me confused on his own intention and analysis of his work. Within a visual capacity, the production was stunning, delicately showcasing his work with a playful bite. Within the general storytelling, I felt his analysis and the collection of interviews left something to be desired. I felt that he had very little to say about his process, his perspective and his journey, as had been described.

In terms of aesthetic pleasure, I would recommend this as a standalone piece of art. Within the capacity that it is presented, to be an insight into his mind, I felt there was little said about his actual process. I felt a disconnect in the intimate images in front of me and the words he was saying, being a surface-level explanation. It felt almost disingenuous as a spectator. The exhibit would benefit from an additional analysis of his work, a reworking of the overall structure to showcase either a story through time or an emotional revelation, and a more intentional or reflective series of interviews. 

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) runs at Aviva Studios (North Warehouse) until January 10.

VOGUE: Inventing the Runway

★★★★★

Written by Katie Bray

VOGUE: Inventing The Runway invites audiences into a fashion show like no other, delving into the long history of fashion and runway shows using extensive fashion archives, footage, illustrations, photos, magazine spreads, and interviews, showcasing its journey throughout the last few centuries.

Cate Blanchett’s dulcet narrations transport audiences through a world of glittering jewels, blooming flowers, ruffling fabrics, and decadent architecture aided by glorious animations sweeping across the panoramic screens.

Equally delightful is the show’s tasteful score, combining classic and pop music to exemplify the constant shifts and revolutions in haute couture.

With Anna Wintour and various Vogue editors involved, the exhibit is unsurprisingly detailed, collating first-hand interviews with secondary critiques to highlight the impact of each designer. We’re shown how Worth’s intimate salons became a thing of the past, photography, magazines, television and the internet creating a wide-reaching network for new fashion followers.

Flashy video montages take us through a growing world of artistic expression focusing on extravagant designs, sensationalised viral theatrics, and impactful venues (everything from sandy beaches and subways to the Great Wall of China).

It then focuses on revolutionary changemakers, Vivienne Westwood particularly standing out in her reclamation of fashion tropes traditionally used to confine women.

While I’ve never been a massive fan of the fashion industry, I found VOGUE: Inventing The Runway shockingly striking. It captivates audiences with rich historical stories enlivened by the encapsulating lightroom environment. Each design and illustration bursts from the screens in a vibrant menagerie of colours and textures. It feels as if you could touch each clattering ceramic and shimmering sequin. I could have sat there for another half-an-hour, soaking in the glorious visuals and fascinating case studies.

VOGUE: Inventing the Runway runs at Aviva Studios (North Warehouse) until January 11.

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks

★★★★☆

Written by Katie Bray

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks navigates mankind’s relationship with scientific progress and lunar exploration centred around the influential 1960s-70s Apollo missions that captivated the world.

The show acts as an historical archive and a social insight, starting with audio strands from JFK’s speech at Rice University in 1962 before Hanks discusses the impact of these breakthroughs on his life, watching the television with eagle-eyes and pretending to be an astronaut, sucking air through a hose in his kiddie-pool. Its also intercut with discussions about Apollo’s geological goals, the LRV, and interviews with future Artemis II crew members looking to space in a new scientific venture.

Accompanying Hanks’ narrations, Anne Nikitin’s aptly adventurous score, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, swells with grandeur, breathes curiosity, sparkles with ethereality, and induces an unsettling sense of anxiety during the final moments before touchdown – a whirlwind of emotions stemming from a gorgeously versatile score.

Visually, Moonwalkers is awe-inspiring, using NASA archives footage, crystal-clear photos restored by Andy Saunders, artworks, and immersive displays of mission control rooms, TV screen collages, and spacecraft consoles. Each lunar surface sprawls across the lightroom space, craggy surfaces below our feet and stunning starry skies canvassing all four walls. Investigating moon rock interiors led to a particularly breath-taking display, shimmering crystal fractals spurring from each direction, their colours gleaming like stained glass windows.  

Detailed explorations of each moment of the Apollo missions are engaging, especially when discussing the mischief of bunny hopping, tape-throwing astronauts on the surface. However, lingering imagery and sometimes meandering segments can be a little hard to digest (verging on pretentious) for someone unversed in the cosmos.

Despite its longwindedness, The Moonwalkers is a fascinating exhibit with thrilling moments, amusing stories, and impressive visual and audial displays.

Aviva Studios’ Warehouse is an immersive space with 360° projections spanning each wall and floor space. A mix of cosy beanbags and benches provide spaces for visitors to relax and enjoy the show as it unravels around them. While projection art can be hit and miss, these Lightroom experiences fully immerse audiences with crisp audio and engaging high-quality imagery.

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks runs at Aviva Studios (North Warehouse) until January 11.