About the Exhibition
Shifting Perspectives: Vertical Cinema reorients standard perceptions of making and watching movies. Located in and inspired by the museum’s double-height Hurd Gallery, Shifting Perspectives offers a unique vertical cinema viewing experience and honors the spirit of experimentation in cinema.
The exhibition explores the roots of the vertical format dating back to the 1890s, the ways in which filmmakers optimize the format to create experimental work, and the contemporary proliferation of vertical filmmaking using portable smart devices. The exhibition also debuts three works by Southern Californian filmmakers: a desert dreams in red by Zaina Bseiso, Dusty Tapes by Fox Maxy, and black man fly by Walter Thompson-Hernández. Commissioned by the museum for this exhibition, these films use a vertical format to explore the topography of a region that is generally perceived to be horizontal—much like cinema itself.
Commissioned Filmmakers
Ghetto Film School
This exhibition also features works by 15 Los-Angeles-based filmmakers from Ghetto Film School, who documented the city’s diverse and thriving tapestry through their lived experience. Works by Alyse Arteaga, Ciara Zoe, Jessica Muñoz, Octavia Anderson, Diego Aquino, Aidan Bae, Niko Baur, AhaNah Chapman, Kian Cloma, Matthew Cotom, Sundiata Enuke, Xochilt Garcia, Memo Mora, O.C., and Ogechi Onyenechehe.
Supported By
Shifting Perspectives: Vertical Cinema was initiated by Jessica Niebel and organized by a curatorial collective including Andrew Acedo, Sarin Cemcem, Esme Douglas, Jessica Niebel, Marty Preciado, Agnes Stauber, and Stephanie Sykes.
Technology solutions generously provided by Christie®.
Banner images, left to right: film stills from a desert dreams in red (USA, 2023) by Zaina Bseiso, Dusty Tapes (USA, 2023) by Fox Maxy, and black man fly (USA, 2023) by Walter Thompson-Hernández. Courtesy of Academy Museum Foundation.