The alchemical nature and serendipity of the handmade image are explored in this immersive how-to of hand-brewed emulsion. In this workshop a simple, raw, low ISO black and white film stock will be created using three key ingredients in the production of a silver based emulsion: gelatin, potassium bromide, and silver nitrate. The workshop will include a basic chemistry lesson to introduce the essential make-up of film emulsion, as well as a discussion of technique including a contextual screening of examples, and the creation of an actual emulsion in a darkroom. The completed emulsion is then literally painted on to clear film strips, left to dry and then used for contact printing and rayogramming. Hand processing and an assessment of the results will follow. If there is time and the weather is right, the possibility of loading the film into a camera and shooting will be explored as well. This workshop is aimed at both experienced practitioners and beginners, and includes all film stock, chemistry, and supplies. It is also recommended that you bring small objects of 16mm width or less or filmstrips for rayogramming and contacting printing onto the filmstrips.

Cost: The cost of the workshop, which includes all the materials and equipment is £60

Booking: No prior experience is necessary. Places are strictly limited and booking is essential for this workshop.To Book email matfleming76 at gmail dot com.

Artist's Biography: Alex MacKenzie is a Vancouver-based media artist working primarily with 16mm analog filmequipment and hand processed imagery. He creates works of expanded cinema, light projectioninstallation, and projector performance. His work has screened at the Rotterdam InternationalFilm Festival, the EXiS Expnrimental Film Festival in Seoul, Lightcone in Paris, Kino Arsenalin Berlin and others. Alex was the founder and curator of the Edison Electric Gallery of MovingImages, the Blinding Light!! Cinema and the Vancouver Underground Film Festival. He was anartist in residence at Atelier MTK in Grenobles, France and Struts Gallery/Faucet Media in NewBrunswick. Alex co-edited Damp: Contemporary Vancouver Media Art (Anvil Press 2008), andinterviewed David Rimmer for Loop, Print, Fade + Flicker: David Rimmer’s Moving Images (AnvilPress 2009). Recent commissions include Portal, for Situated Cinema (WNDX Winnipeg 2012)and Auroratone: Digitalis (FilmPop Montreal 2012). Alex was Artist in Residence at Cineworks’Analog Film Annex in Vancouver and is now conducting an extended workshop series thereentitled Expanding Cinema.