From garbage to Holden Gallery

A stunning exhibition of photographs taken with a 19th century camera found in a skip has opened at The Holden Gallery.

Anatomy of an Institution – which runs until Wednesday 15th December – features both colour and black and white portraits of technicians, security staff, canteen assistants, students and academics from across the University.

The exhibition provides a fantastic insight into the individuals who make the University what it is and highlights the expertise of Manchester School of Art staff.

Lovingly restored

The 115-year-old wooden studio camera was discovered in a dilapidated state at MMU five years ago.

Worn, broken and with many parts missing it has been lovingly rebuilt by Photography lecturers Gavin Parry and David Penny, aided by the University’s technicians.

Gavin and David tested out the camera on MMU staff and students. It requires two people to work the camera, which has to be positioned around 20-30 feet away from the subject and takes 15 minutes to set-up.

Re-creating the magic

Gavin says: “The rise of camera phones and modern technology means being recorded or photographed is now an everyday experience, far removed from the sense of magic and wonder that existed in the early Victorian portrait studios.

“Our aim wasn’t to return the camera to its antique glory, but get it working again and recreate the excitement of ‘being photographed’. The camera’s size, age and the preparation involved elicit a response from the subject. The person being shot also can’t hold a conventional camera pose for 20 minutes, so there’s an element of performance and theatricality too.”

Your very own Victorian portrait

Visitors will get the chance to pose for individual own black and white Victorian portraits on Thursday 2nd and Wednesday 8th December, when a contemporary studio featuring the Victorian camera will be set up in the middle of the gallery.

Participants will be sent a digital copy of their portrait via e-mail. Book your place now at info@anatomyprojects.co.uk.

Anatomy of an Institution is open Monday to Friday, 10am-4.30pm.