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Alternate Realities

A week of documentaries and free AR installations

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A black and white photograph of a black man and a white woman are pieced together in a digital glitch

Join us for Sheffield Doc/Fest’s pioneering digital art strand, featuring two works from the festival’s Alternate Realities exhibition of interactive and immersive non-fiction. 

In the interactive installation Echo, by Georgie Pinn, audiences step into the shoes of another through a virtual mirror, select a shared story and discover layers of themselves echoed back in a deeply personal exploration of human experience, identity and empathy through an intense and visually unique experience. For this presentation, Echo features new, intimate stories never before experienced.

Alongside Pinn's work is Rob Eagle’s augmented reality installation Through the Wardrobe, playfully inviting visitors into a wardrobe where the possibilities of gender are endless.

These two installations are accompanied by two screenings: Agostino Ferrente’s Selfie and Enrico Masi’s Shelter - Farewell to Eden, two powerful films that explore identity and depict intensely personal experiences in new and innovative ways.

 

Presented by Sheffield Doc/Fest and Barbican Centre, with support from Arts Council England.

Events

FAQs

When is the installation open?
1–9pm Monday to Saturday, and 12 – 8pm on Sunday

How do I get a time slot?

Echo: First come, first serve – come along on the day

Through the Wardrobe: Sign up in person with a host for a time slot from 1pm (Mon – Sat) , 12pm (Sun), first come, first served basis.

Can I book in advance?

Yes, but only for Through the Wardrobe. If you come along and want to reserve a slot for another day, you should be able to do so – subject to availability.

If you have booked a time slot, please arrive a few minutes early – if you are not present at the time of your slot, it may be given to someone else.  

Are the installations accessible?

Echo is wheelchair accessible and the stories are all captioned in English. 

Through the Wardrobe is wheelchair accessible, and we will be providing audio versions of the stories via headphones, as well as printed out transcripts of the stories. 

How long will I be spending in the installation?

Roughly 5 minutes in Echo, and about 10 minutes in Through the Wardrobe.

We ask you to keep to your time slot to ensure everyone who has signed up for a slot gets a chance to experience the installations.

Is there an age restriction?

The installations are suitable for the ages of 16+, because of the adult themes explored.

People under the age of 16 won’t be permitted to use the installations.

The films Selfie and Shelter – Farewell to Eden are both classified 15.

Proof of age may be requested upon entry.

What happens to my image after using Echo?

Echo is an interactive, immersive artwork by Georgie Pinn that builds and shares an embodied archive of cross-cultural experience. By interacting with this work, you join the project's archive, however your image will not be used to identify you unless you agree to share your story directly with Georgie Pinn and the project. For more information please visit https://www.fotoecho.net

Can I take photos in the installation?

Yes, you have permission to take photos. If you post, please tag us @BarbicanCentre – we’d love to hear about your experience.

With thanks

Sheff logo
Arts Council England logo

Barbican Cinemas 2 & 3 Foyers