Tilda Swinton Announces New Exhibition Amidst Film Hiatus
Earlier this year, Oscar-winning Scottish actress Tilda Swinton surprised her fans at the Berlin International Film Festival by announcing a temporary break from her film career. However, Swinton has recently made headlines again with exciting news about her artistic endeavors.
Introducing Tilda Swinton – Ongoing
On Wednesday, the renowned actress, artist, and fashion icon revealed her plans to develop an exhibition titled Tilda Swinton – Ongoing. This exclusive showcase will take place at the Eye Filmmuseum in Amsterdam and will spotlight eight collaborative works with acclaimed filmmakers and friends, including Pedro Almodóvar, Luca Guadagnino, Joanna Hogg, Jim Jarmusch, and others.
Collaborative Creativity
In addition to the previously mentioned filmmakers, the exhibition will feature works created with Olivier Saillard, Tim Walker, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and the late Derek Jarman. Swinton expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “Eye has given me the chance to reflect on the mechanics of my working practice over the past 40 years.” She highlighted the significance of the relationships she has formed along the way and how they continue to inspire her work.
“In focusing attention on profoundly enriching creative relationships in my life, we share the narratives and atmospheres that inspire us: we offer new work, especially commissioned for the Eye exhibition, as the most recent gestures borne out of various companionable conversations that keep me curious, engaged and nourished.”
Exploring Themes and Connections
Swinton described the artworks as “an ongoing – and unbroken – thread of breadcrumbs through the wood, new leaves on long-established trees,” indicating a deep connection to her creative journey. She concluded her statement by reflecting on the rare gifts of friendship and artistic collaboration: “I should be so lucky, in the gift of such an invitation, in such friends and in such a life.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Eye Filmmuseum has hosted a variety of exhibitions centered on cinema and the art of moving images. The upcoming exhibition marks a shift in focus, emphasizing the active involvement of performers like Swinton. The museum notes that “actors and performers are often seen as passive vessels to be filled or moulded by directors,” but Tilda Swinton – Ongoing seeks to highlight her creative agency and the co-authorship present in her collaborations.
Artworks and Their Significance
The exhibition will present five unique pieces made in collaboration with prominent filmmakers, while a sixth piece is a performance and installation developed in partnership with fashion historian Olivier Saillard, drawing inspiration from Swinton’s personal archive. Additionally, Tim Walker will capture Swinton’s roots through a photographic lens. Notably, the legacy of Derek Jarman will be honored with the display of previously unseen archival material from his 8mm film repertoire.
Exhibition Details
Tilda Swinton – Ongoing will be open from September 28 to February 8, and a series of films and discussions will accompany the exhibition. For further details, visit the Eye Filmmuseum’s website.