ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mat Collishaw's VR Project Recreates 1839 Photography Exhibition

digital · 2026-05-05

Mat Collishaw is crowdfunding on Kickstarter for 'Thresholds', a virtual reality installation that recreates the world's first photography exhibition from 1839. Visitors wear a headset to experience a digitally reproduced room while being able to touch physical tables and objects through a synchronization mechanism. Other visitors appear as ghosts, and outside, Luddites protest against new technologies. The crowdfunding aims to lower ticket prices for broader access.

Key facts

  • Mat Collishaw is the artist behind the VR project 'Thresholds'.
  • The project recreates the first photography exhibition from 1839.
  • Collishaw is running a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to finance the work.
  • The experience mixes virtual and physical elements: digital room via headset, tangible objects.
  • Other visitors appear as ghosts in the simulation.
  • Outside the building, Luddites protest against emerging technologies.
  • The crowdfunding aims to reduce ticket prices and increase accessibility.
  • Collishaw is known for experimenting with new technologies.

Entities

Artists

  • Mat Collishaw

Institutions

  • Kickstarter
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Nottingham
  • England

Sources