{"id":3950,"date":"2015-09-25T15:53:22","date_gmt":"2015-09-25T14:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarragonaexperience.com\/2015\/09\/25\/caixaforum-tarragona-homes-a-magical-exhibition-about-the-life-of-georges-melies-the-forefather-of-cinema\/"},"modified":"2015-09-25T15:53:22","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T14:53:22","slug":"caixaforum-tarragona-homes-a-magical-exhibition-about-the-life-of-georges-melies-the-forefather-of-cinema","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarragonaexperience.com\/en\/2015\/09\/25\/caixaforum-tarragona-homes-a-magical-exhibition-about-the-life-of-georges-melies-the-forefather-of-cinema\/","title":{"rendered":"CaixaForum Tarragona homes a magical exhibition about the life of Georges M\u00e9li\u00e8s, the forefather of cinema"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

If I were to define the concept \u201cone man band\u201d I would probably try to get inspiration from the figure of Georges M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/a><\/strong> (1861-1931), a Parisian from the mid 19th century that, despite the choice he could have taken to enjoy a quiet life as a \u201cgrandeur\u201d and a businessman in the luxury shoe industry (initially taught by his father), he decided to get his life that little bit more complicated by claiming his part of the inheritance and get into the world of pictures and cinema, still to be discovered. It was actually in this field of arts that he played every possible role. M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> worked as a cartoonist, magician, theatre director, actor, decorator, dressmaker, technician and also producer and distributor of over 500 films, totally handmade, between 1896 and 1912.<\/p>\n

\"La<\/a><\/p>\n

CaixaF\u00f2rum Tarragona<\/a><\/strong> is now paying tribute to this man and will home the exhibition \u201cGeorges M\u00e9li\u00e8s, the magic of cinema<\/a><\/strong>\u201d until 10 January, an essential showing in order to understand his majesty and his undeniable role as one of the fathers of cinematography. It is not in vain that M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> is fairly considered one of the pioneers of cinema and special effects. Anna Cat\u00e0<\/strong>, from Auriga Serveis Culturals<\/a><\/strong>, will provide you with the best guided tour round the exhibition.<\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

Using the part of the inheritance he deserved \u2013his brothers got the luxury shoe company\u2013, Georges bought a theatre he used to make his dreams come true: Chinese shadow puppets, magical lanterns and optical cases (the dioramas of today), adding the perspective and all the previous inventions to the player that would then give birth to cinema. Contemporary and neighbour of the Lumi\u00e8re<\/a><\/strong> brothers (Louis<\/strong> and Auguste<\/strong>), generally considered as the discoverers of the seventh art, Georges M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> could be attributed the initial success of the project\u2026 and its deterioration, for the benefit of the major industries. <\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

The exhibition at CaixaF\u00f2rum<\/strong> allows us for a deeper, more profound look at the M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> that reigned, like the Sun King, over the world of fantasy genre and trick photography, with techniques that, despite having been improved nowadays, they\u2019re still very present in many of the contemporary films, such as the Harry Potter<\/strong> saga. Georges M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> succeeded in making a whole generation dream, even though they were not that sure about this incipient seventh art since they wouldn\u2019t really hesitate before going away from the cinema when presented with certain effects. The French filmmaker would use special effects such as the illusionism, pyrotechnics, optical illusions, horizontal and vertical foldouts, camera stops, small electric shocks, dissolved transitions, overprints\u2026 he was really ahead of its time.<\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

The tribute paid to M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> in this very recommended showing homed by CaixaF\u00f2rum Tarragona<\/strong> shows the very early years of the French filmmaker, his golden age, with projects later plagiarised in the USA<\/strong>, and his decline. Films, models \u2013like the cinema studio he built\u2013, dressings, decorations, characters, inventions, personal objects\u2026 the exhibition is a tour round the M\u00e9li\u00e8s<\/strong> universe.<\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

As for the ending, this doesn\u2019t differ that much from an actual film. After rejecting the family business to go on an adventure towards an unknown world, plagiarisms, changes on trending and, mainly, the industrialisation of the sector, ended up on him being absolutely broke. Thus, completely trapped by debts, he decided to sell his studios and his film collection to a man that would then reuse them to create toys\u2026 and shoes. And there it is, the end of the film; of a sad film. <\/p>\n

\"Georges<\/a><\/p>\n

CaixaForum Tarragona<\/strong>: Carrer Crist\u00f2for Colom, 2 (next to Font del Centenari), 43001 Tarragona.<\/p>\n

Schedule:
\nMondays to Fridays, 9am \u2013 9pm
\nSaturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, 11am \u2013 2pm & 4pm \u2013 9pm<\/p>\n

Free entrance<\/p>\n

Guided tours for general public:
\nCatalan, Saturdays at 7pm
\nSpanish, Sundays at 7pm<\/p>\n

Guided tours for groups:
\nBy agreement, day and time, at +34 977 249 871
\nPrice per group, 60\u20ac (maximum, 25 people)<\/p>\n

More information<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n