New iPad app explores early history of moving pictures

24 July 2013

A new iPad app which allows users to explore devices from the early history of moving pictures is now available on the App Store. 'Walking Pictures' was developed by researchers at the University of Bristol and UWE with Aerian Studios Ltd.

'Walking Pictures' is a development of a large-scale touch-table project 'When The Pictures Learnt to Walk' developed by Dr Birgit Beumers (formerly of Bristol's School of Modern Languages), Julia Bracegirdle (Animation, UWE) and Aerian Studios Ltd. The project participants met at a REACT workshop and their work was funded by the University's Enterprise & Impact Development Fund.

The touch-table is built around a 40'' screen and has appeared in the University's Theatre Collection (February-March) and the Museo del Precinema in Padua (March-July). It is now en route to the Stummfilmtage in Bonn and will then return to Bristol where it will be exhibited in the Pervasive Media Studio at Watershed. Further UK and European venues are being planned for 2014.

As well as bringing animation history to new audiences, the project has enabled Aerian Studios to secure new contracts for touch-tables in museums around the UK.

Find out more about all eight University of Bristol projects developed and supported through REACT here.