Photographer presents a ‘wormhole’ to the past

| 16/10/2012

Jr gallery (238x300).jpg(CNS): A newphotographic exhibition at the National Gallery presents a new and interesting take on Cayman with a merging of the old and the new. In "Now & Then" Courtney Platt takes archive photographs and merges them with modern day shots taken from the same perspective. The result goes beyond nostalgia and is haunting in its recollection of the ‘islands that time forgot’ and its way of life. Schooners merge with helicopters and modern offices push their way into quiet street scenes. Platt describes the unique pictures as "wormholes to the past" and the creation of the exhibition as an incredibly moving experience.

“Past and current landmarks, buildings, events and generations of people blend together in a surreal and at times haunting mixture of imagery, “ said Natalie Urquhart, the gallery’s director. “They evoke a way of life that is rapidly becoming confined to memory and remind us of the importance of preserving our unique heritage before it is lost.”

The exhibition uses archive footage from the Cayman Free Press Steinmetz Collection and is open at the Gallery on Esterley Tibbetts Highway until 11 December.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Local News

About the Author ()

Comments (15)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. insane says:

    Thank you, really appreciate. I will make my way there on Saturday.
     

  2. Anonymous says:

    I don't know about UNIQUE per say…

    http://wagefellow.tumblr.com/image/30925430342 San Francisco (from 2010)

  3. Anonymous says:

    Is there a charge to get in, and how much? 

    Does anybody know?

     

    CNS: It's free

  4. peter milburn says:

    Great job Courtney

  5. Anonymous says:

    We went to this Saturday, and I have to say I found it really interesting, unique almost and it give a very artistic take on the "old" and "new" Cayman. I would recommend you go before it shuts…

    • insane says:

      How many pictures are there approximately?
      Last time I went there, for a different event, there was only 10 pictures.

      • Anonymous says:

        Apparently quantity is significant when it comes to art.

        • insane says:

          It's not that quantity counts. I just don't think a 25 to 30 min drive is worth to look at only 10 pictures.
          It was just a normal question, didn't meant to offend nobody.

          • 2Lose says:

            So "yes", quantity is apparently a factor.  Philistine! The National Gallery had the chance of showing a Van Gogh or two, but the curator declined the offer on the basis "well there was only one or two paintings on offer for the show, and our visitors think it is really not worth a 25 minute drive to see that few exhibits".

      • Anonymous says:

        I did not count, but I would say closer to 30. The writings besides the pictures are intersting too. Took us about 45 to go around. I dont think you will be disappointed. And no, I don't work there. And no, I am not Courtney.

      • Anonymous says:

        Was that the Pissaco exhibition? Personally I had never heard of him.