City’s role in history of photography is focus of virtual reality show
BIRMINGHAM’S pivotal role in early photography is to be the focus of a new exhibition in the city.
Though Birmingham cannot claim to have invented the technique – it was once described as the “midwife in the birth of photography”.
Thresholds, a virtual reality project by internationally acclaimed artist Mat Collishaw and photographic historian Pete James, will see audiences step back over 170 years to the dawn of the photographic era.
Using virtual reality headsets, visitors will walk around a recreation of the model room of an August 1839 exhibition of ‘ Manufactures, Inventions, Models and Philosophical Instruments’ staged at King Edward’s School, which was then in New Street.
The exhibition, which included 93 photogenic drawings by William Henry Fox Talbot, was one of the first major public displays of photography in the UK.
This summer’s event will include what are thought to be two of the earliest surviving images made in Birmingham, views of New Street made from King Edward’s School around 1842 and previously unseen material from King Edward’s School Archives.
The exhibition – supported by Colmore Business District (BID) and partners including King Edward’s School and the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham – will reveal how Birmingham was at the forefront of developments in photography.
It will premier at Photo London, the international photo fair in April then move to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery’s Waterhall between June and September.
Pete James, former Curator of Photographs at the Library of Birmingham and now a Fellow at Birmingham Open Media, said: “In 1880 a local writer cast Birmingham in the role as a midwife in the birth of photography when he wrote: ‘If Birmingham cannot claim to have originated photography, she is at least entitled the merit of having assisted at its birth. She can also worthily claim the credit of having given it substantial help as it struggled through many difficulties to maturity. She can, also, claim that she gave the new art most welcome aid and sympathy; and that some of the most successful photographic discoveries and operators have been amongst those of her own household.’
“This exciting project will promote Birmingham’s pioneering achievements in the history of photography to local, national and international audiences.”
The event has funding from various sources but is seeking more investment with via Kickstarter at www.kickstarter.com/ projects/1817545913/thresholdsvr