Mat Collishaw: THRESHOLDS

Thresholds 2017 Play Video

This autumn, Lacock Abbey, in collaboration with Blain|Southern gallery, is proud to present Thresholds, a new virtual reality artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Mat Collishaw.

Visit Thresholds and encounter an exhibition like never before, stepping back in time to one of the earliest exhibitions of photography in 1839. 

You will be able to walk freely throughout a digitally reconstructed room, and touch the bespoke vitrines, fixtures and mouldings; even the heat from a coal fire is recreated. A soundscape for Thresholds includes the sound of demonstrations of the Chartist protesters who rioted in 1839 on the streets of Birmingham, and can be glimpsed through the digital windows.

Visitor exploring the Thresholds exhibition; photo Richard Eaton
Thresholds Mat Collishaw by Richard Eaton
" You don’t understand how much you enjoyed the virtual world until you feel the urge to go back."
- The Telegraph

The original 19th-century exhibition, staged by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, celebrated cutting edge technological innovation. Unfortunately, Fox Talbot’s original images have faded almost beyond recognition with several of the surviving photographs existing only in light-proof vaults.  Through Thresholds, this exhibition not only restages an important historical exhibition but provides a way to view images that have since been lost.

Thresholds Visual 2017
Thresholds Visual 2017
" Collishaw has not recreated an historical experience, but has instead constructed an entirely new one."
- Frieze

Mat Collishaw is one of the UK’s most thought provoking contemporary artists, and the installation will be in place for you to visit from Saturday 16 September – Sunday 29 October 2017. 

Upcoming events

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Lacock Abbey Sorcerer's Shield family trail

Sat 23 Sep 2017
10:30-17:00
Witches and wizards, do you have what it takes to join the Lacock Abbey sorcerer's shield? Before we let you into our world, you need to find out which of our four shields you belong to. Will it be Knatchbull or Talbot, Thynne or Boyle?

'Fractured architecture' by Thomas Kellner

Sat 23 Sep 2017
10:30-17:00
German photo artist, Thomas Kellner, presents an exhibition of cubist photography of the seemingly dancing architecture of famous landmarks at the Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock, Britain's birthplace of photography.

Mat Collishaw: Thresholds

Sat 23 Sep 2017
15:15-15:30
You can't move this year without hearing something about Virtual Reality. At Lacock this Autumn go back in time to the dawn of photography with Thresholds, a new virtual reality artwork by Mat Collishaw.

Rob Auckland - Photography workshop

Sat 30 Sep 2017
10:00-12:00
Join professional photographer Rob Auckland for a two hour practical workshop on how to get the most out of your camera in the British birthplace of photography, Lacock Abbey.

Christmas at Lacock

Thu 30 Nov 2017
11:00-16:30
Christmas trees, traditional decorations, a festive trail, and Father Christmas (booking essential) are all heading to Lacock this December. Why not make Lacock one of your Christmas traditions?

An Audience with Father Christmas 2017

Sat 02 Dec 2017
11:00-11:30
Meet Father and Mother Christmas in their festive kitchen at Lacock Abbey. A unique experience in a cosy setting that is sure to please our young visitors.