Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema delves into the essential role of color in cinema, featuring film clips, technological equipment, and objects, including the legendary ruby slippers designed by Gilbert Adrian from The Wizard of Oz (1939), the green dress designed by Edith Head and worn by Kim Novak in Vertigo (1958), a blue ensemble worn by Jamie Foxx as Django in Django Unchained (2012), and a Wonka chocolate bar from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) . Interactive installations invite visitors to engage with color in innovative ways. A comprehensive catalogue will accompany the exhibition, offering deeper insights into the legacy of color in film.
Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema is curated by Senior Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel with Assistant Curator Sophia Serrano, Research Assistant Alexandra James Salichs, and former Curatorial Assistant Manouchka Kelly Labouba.
Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema explores the global impact of the cyberpunk subgenre on film culture, showcasing iconic films like Blade Runner (1982), The Matrix (1999), and international titles such as Sleep Dealer (2008) and Akira (1988). At its core, an immersive installation will trace the genre's origins and its evolution into 21st-century themes like Afrofuturism and Indigenous futurism. Visitors can also experience a mixed-reality (MR) installation, and the exhibition includes a catalogue with rare behind-the-scenes images and exclusive merchandise.
Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema is curated by Vice President of Curatorial Affairs Doris Berger, with Assistant Curators Nicholas Barlow and Emily Rauber Rodriguez.
Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Photo by: Josh White, JWPictures ©Academy Museum Foundation
Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema runs through July 13, 2025, and Cyberpunk: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema runs through April 12, 2026.
The Academy Museum exhibition galleries and store are open six days a week from 10am to 6pm and are closed on Tuesdays.
In conjunction with the exhibition Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema, the Academy Museum proudly presents The Wonders of Technicolor, a screening series that celebrates the vibrant and indelible impact of Technicolor on Hollywood productions and audiences. From shaping narratives to evoking emotions, color transcends logic, resonating deeply with audiences. Introduced in the 1930s, Technicolor IV became the dominant color technology in Hollywood, defining the look of studio films with its crisp images and vibrant hues. This series highlights Technicolor's profound influence on filmmaking, showcasing its contributions to production design, costume, and cinematography, as seen in classics like Vertigo (1958) and Cabaret (1972).
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