The National Media Museum Shows Red Saunders' Photographic Tableaux Vivants

Written by Geoffrey Wainwright Wednesday, 19 October 2011 01:32

Bradford, UK.- The National Media Museum is proud to present "Hidden", on view at the museum through December 10th. Red Saunders’ epic photographic tableaux vivants (‘living pictures’) recreate momentous but overlooked events from Britain’s struggle for democracy and equality, from the Peasants Revolt of 1381 to the Chartist movement of the mid nineteenth century.  Shown as part of Ways of Looking, a new photography festival in Bradford, this first major solo exhibition of Saunders’ work features the world premiere of two dramatic new works, specially commissioned by Impressions Gallery and The Culture Company.Focussing on the contributions of ordinary men and women, rather than the monarchs and ‘Great Men’ that dominate official history, Saunders seeks to shed light on the parallel, ‘hidden history’ of revolutionaries and radicals. Meticulously detailed, atmospherically lit, and historically accurate, each scene is recreated and posed by models, providing photographic ‘evidence’ for events that occurred before the widespread adoption of camera technology.

The impressively large-scale works, some six metres long, feature amongst others William Cuffay, a black worker and son of a slave, signing the great ‘People’s Charter’ of 1842; Mary Wollstonecraft, the author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women and precursor of modern feminism; and triumphant rebel leader Wat Tyler after his peasant army seized London in 1381. Unveiled for the first time in the exhibition, the first newly commissioned work focuses on women’s activism during the English Civil War (1642 - 1651), recreating a dusk campsite scene where female radicals address a large crowd of soldiers, Levellers and dissenters.  The second, inspired by the nationwide agricultural Swing Riots of 1830, is a dramatic night scene where hooded farmworkers emerge from rushes to act against repressive landlord farmers. Saunders, who made his name as a founder of seminal late 1970s campaign Rock Against Racism, says ‘my hope is that these images can give new life to these important episodes of working people’s history’.

Red Saunders  is a professional photographer who combines his photographic practice with cultural, artistic, musical, and political activism. A former member of the 60's underground theatre group CAST, he made his name with nearly two decades of work for the ground breaking Sunday Times colour supplement, until he ended his association following the Wapping dispute of 1986-7. He was a founder member and activist with the Rock Against Racism campaign from 1976 onwards. An arson attack destroyed his studio and life work in 1994 and he did not return to photography until the end of the decade, turning instead film-making. In recent years he has focussed on personal work, the 'Hidden' project.


The National Media Museum is situated in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film. It aims to be the best museum in world for inspiring people to learn about, engage with and create media.The Museum is home to over 3.5 million items of historical significance including the National Photography, National Cinematography, National Television and National New Media Collections. The Insight: Collections & Research Centre is where much of the Collection is held, to be explored and enjoyed by everybody. Traditional and interactive galleries located across eight floors of the Museum investigate and celebrate film, photography, television, animation and new media. Two gallery spaces display a changing programme of exhibitions which are inspired by our Collection. The touring exhibitions program enables the museum to share their exhibitions and the National Collections with audiences across the UK and abroad. The Museum is the home of the BBC in Bradford. Visitors can watch presenters and researchers collating news stories and broadcasting online and on-air in this real, working exhibit. The UK's first IMAX theatre opened in the museum and continues to offer an exciting program of 3D and blockbuster films for that essential, all-embracing viewing experience. The Museum houses two other cinemas which can accommodate a wide range of film formats. Their Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli cinemas host an impressive film program, from cult classics to contemporary art house cinema. Pictureville cinema boasts the only permanent, regularly programmed Cinerama installation in Europe, a magnet for enthusiasts worldwide.The Museum organizes three major film festivals every year: Bradford International Film Festival, Bradford Animation Festival and Fantastic Films Weekend. A comprehensive programme of cultural and educational events and activities bring the Museum's subject matter to life for families, schools and adults alike. For a venue with a difference, the Museum can provide the setting for a whole spectrum of events, from birthday celebrations to corporate conferences. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk

---

Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~