Two new exhibits at Academy Museum

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is excited to introduce two new exhibitions: “Color in Motion,” an immersive journey into the transformative power of color in film, curated by Jessica Neville and team, and “Cyberpunk,” a visual exploration of the cyberpunk genre’s impact on film culture, curated by Doris Berger and team. Both exhibitions are now open to the public. A companion film series, “The Wonders of Technicolor,” will screen classic films such as The Wizard of Oz and The Women. Additionally, a mixed reality experience, “Cyberpunk: A Virtual Production Experience,” will launch later in the year. The museum also celebrated its third anniversary and plans to expand digital experiences.

Pictured above: Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Photo by: Josh White, JW Pictures/©Academy Museum Foundation.

Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema 

Runs through July 13, 2025

This vivid and interactive exhibition takes an immersive and innovative approach to understanding cinematic color as visitors travel throughout six unique galleries, each of which is devoted to a different aspect of film color. Color in Motion engages visitors through dynamic, colorful film installations and includes notable objects from the silent era through the digital age, including cameras, projectors, costumes, props, animation cels, and film posters.

The exhibition investigates the role of color in film, from the technological advancements that made its use possible, to the ways filmmakers use color as a storytelling tool, to its psychological impact on audiences. Additionally, it highlights the role color has played since the earliest days of film history—both as a tool for technological experimentation and artistic expression.

Of note is a gorgeous rainbow-sequence costume gallery showcasing recognizable cinema relics, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

Object highlights include:

• Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz (USA, 1939)
• A green costume worn by Kim Novak in Vertigo (USA, 1958)
• A blue costume worn by Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained (USA, 2012)
• The red jacket worn by Jack Nicholson in The Shining (USA, 1980)
• A red sari worn by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jodhaa Akbar (India, 2008)
• Two-color and three-color Technicolor cameras highlighting the Technicolor II and IV processes, respectively
• A yellow color study model of the house from Pixar’s Up (USA, 2009)
• Original materials from Disney’s Ink & Paint Department
• An early stencil cutting machine and stencil application machine used at Pathé studios 

Senior Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel curated “Color in Motion” with the help of assistant curator Sophia Serrano, curatorial assistant Manouchka Kelly Labouba and research assistant Alexandra James Salichs.

A Color Arcade concludes the exhibition with an opportunity for visitors to physically interact with color through physical movement, inviting them to see, create, and experience “color in motion.”

Film Screenings

In conjunction with the exhibition Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema, the Academy Museum proudly presents The Wonders of Technicolor, a screening series that celebrates the vibrant and indelible impact of Technicolor on Hollywood productions and audiences. From shaping narratives to evoking emotions, color transcends logic, resonating deeply with audiences. Introduced in the 1930s, Technicolor IV became the dominant color technology in Hollywood, defining the look of studio films with its crisp images and vibrant hues. This series highlights Technicolor’s profound influence on filmmaking, showcasing its contributions to production design, costume, and cinematography, as seen in classics like Vertigo (1958) and Cabaret (1972).

Upcoming Screenings include: 

• Fantasia | October 24 at 7:30pm
• The Red Shoes in 35mm | October 25 at 7:30pm
• Cabaret | November 1 at 7:30pm
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | November 2 at 2pm
• Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory in 4K | November 4 at 7:30pm
• The Wizard of Oz in 4K | November 9 at 2pm
• The Black Pirate in 4K | November 21 at 7:30pm
• The Women | November 23 at 2pm

CYBERPUNK: Envisioning Possible Futures Through Cinema 

Runs through April 12, 2026

The exhibition examines the global impact and lasting influence of the science fiction subgenre cyberpunk on cinema culture. Featuring near-future scenarios set in worlds that resemble our own, cyberpunk films juxtapose technological advances with social upheaval, ecological crisis, and urban decay. Central to these stories are outcasts and rebellious characters who fight against corrupt political systems, technology gone haywire, global mega-corporations, and colonialism.

The Academy Museum’s exhibition features production materials, costumes, props, and concept art from iconic cyberpunk films including Blade Runner (USA, 1982), Tron (USA, 1982), and eXistenZ (Canada, 1999). It also spotlights international films like Sleep Dealer (Mexico/USA, 2008) and foundational animated features such as Ghost in the Shell (Japan, 1995). At the exhibition’s core, an immersive installation explores themes and visual motifs of cyberpunk and futurist films. With a voice-over scripted by writer-director Alex Rivera, the installation illustrates cyberpunk’s 20th-century origins and the new, global directions it has taken in the 21st century as it has expanded into genres like Afrofuturism (Neptune Frost, Rwanda/USA, 2021), Latinxfuturism (Alita: Battle Angel, USA, 2019), and Indigenous Futurism (Night Raiders, Canada/New Zealand, 2021).

What great about this exhibition?

Cyberpunk films are set in a recognizable future that is not too far removed from our present day, allowing for a sense of relatable anxiety around potential technological issues. The films juxtapose cutting-edge technology with urban blight, social inequality, and political corruption. Rebellious characters are central to cyberpunk narratives which often feature marginalized individuals or outcasts who fight against the established power structures. Tackling themes of corporate control and colonialism, many cyberpunk stories explore the influence of large corporations and the exploitation of marginalized communities. A highlight is the distinct visual aesthetics as the visual style of cyberpunk films often feature neon lights, dark urban environments, and even futuristic body modifications.

Doris Berger, vice president of curatorial affairs, curated the “Cyberpunk” exhibit with assistant curator Nicholas Barlow and curatorial assistant Emily Rauber Rodriguez.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is located at 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. The museum hours are 10AM-6PM and is open six days a week (closed on Tuesdays).  Phone: (323) 930-3000. For more information visit, AcademyMuseum.org.