David Hockney's Immersive 360-Degree Film at Lightroom London Critiqued as Sensory Overload
David Hockney's immersive 50-minute film installation, 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away),' is on display at Lightroom in London until October 1. This piece features Hockney's distinctive Yorkshire voice, derived from interviews conducted by a film and television writer. The film brings his iPad paintings of Normandy landscapes to life, displayed across four walls and a grey carpeted floor within gold-painted frames. Hockney explores his interest in new media, from early projects to 3D scanning and multicamera video, while critiquing photography's geometric view in contrast to human perception. The installation showcases scenes from his time in Los Angeles, accompanied by an evocative score from Nico Muhly, all while omitting references to Hockney's queer culture and collaborators.
Key facts
- David Hockney's 360-degree film installation 'Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)' runs through October 1 at Lightroom in London
- The 50-minute loop features Hockney's narration shaped from interviews by a film and TV writer
- Hockney discusses new media, 3D scanning, multicamera video, and critiques linear perspective
- iPad paintings of Normandy landscapes are animated line by line in gold-painted frames
- Nico Muhly composed the score with strings, piano, and pencil scratching sounds
- Includes a sequence from Hockney's 2012 video piece 'Wagner Drive' with Wagner's music
- The film omits Hockney's queer cultural connections and his team of assistants
- Lightroom is a joint venture between a production house and a theatre company
Entities
Artists
- David Hockney
- Nico Muhly
Institutions
- Lightroom
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Normandy
- France
- Los Angeles
- United States