TILDA SWINTON’S EXHIBITION ONGOING OPENS AT EYE FILMMUSEUM: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

words NATALIE GAL

Most of us have our own Tilda Swinton story, the first time we saw her on screen. Maybe it was as Jadis, the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia, or as Gabriel, the enigmatic angel in Constantine. For me, it was The Grand Budapest Hotel. Swinton is one of those rare artists the world only produces once in a generation, her repertoire of characters and the stories she embodies are as extensive as they are extraordinary.

Now, with curated films, live conversations, and performances, Tilda takes over Amsterdam with something truly special. Her exhibition, Ongoing, focuses on her creative collaborations and the camaraderie that grows between artists.

Pedro Almodóvar, Luca Guadagnino, Joanna Hogg, Derek Jarman, Jim Jarmusch, Olivier Saillard, Tim Walker, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul all appear in the exhibition, each presented in a new light. Guadagnino created a portrait of Swinton in the form of both sculpture and short film, Almodóvar contributed his short The Human Voice, and Walker crafted a photo series reflecting on Swinton’s childhood. Swinton herself will also appear in open conversations with her collaborators and join live performances throughout the coming months.

The exhibition runs at Eye Filmmuseum until February 8. For us Amsterdammers, it is a true privilege to welcome Tilda Swinton and her art into our city. Her work is intimate, personal, and deeply touching, each piece, while rooted in her own journey, invites us to reflect on our own lives in unexpected ways.