Review: Film Tells Refugees' Stories, Without Ever Showing Them

Altered Landscapes, Watermans Art Centre ★★★★☆

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 95 months ago
Review: Film Tells Refugees' Stories, Without Ever Showing Them Altered Landscapes, Watermans Art Centre 4
Litter caught in a tree flutters in the wind. A still from the beautifully shot film. Copyright Juan delGado.

Brentford and contemporary art don't usually go hand in hand. But we've just discovered a great art installation at the Watermans Arts Centre.

Juan delGado has created a moodily-shot black and white short film; the narration tells the stories of refugees but it never shows them, instead choosing to travel through the areas they've visited.

Whether the camera travels down a dark road or an insect emerges from its chrysalis, it's captivating stuff. The subtlest moments are packed with atmosphere as litter caught in a tree flutters in the wind. Even the water from an overflowing sink can seem charged with anticipation.

The exhibition also contains photographs and a video projection on the floor. But the centrepiece is the main video — and it's a stunning piece of filmmaking.

Altered Landscapes: Juan delGado is on at Watermans Art Centre, 40 High street, Brentford, TW8 0DS until 29 May. Entrance is free and the exhibition is open 7 days a week.

Art fans should also check our top 10 and most talked about exhibitions for this month.

Another great still from the film. Copyright Juan delGado

Last Updated 13 April 2016