Autochrome · Machine arrière #3

The exhibition “Autochrome, machine arrière #3” traces the history of colour photography backwards, from smartphones to the Lumière brothers’ glass plates. At the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, cameras, images and audiovisual installations place this invention in the context of an era eager to capture the world in colour.

The exhibition unfolds in reverse chronological order: digital images give way to film and slides, then to autochrome, patented in 1903 and launched commercially in 1907. This sequence reveals both the technical and industrial challenges of capturing colour and the changing ways we use photography.

A spatial audio sequence then takes visitors back to 1912, following in the footsteps of Marc Ferrez. From Paris to Rio, this French-Brazilian photographer explores the possibilities of a process that remains demanding. The narrative brings to life the experiments and uncertainties that accompany innovation.

With “Autochrome étendu”, the Brazilian collective Bijari extends this story through an immersive installation. Historical photographs, microscopic details and contemporary compositions come together in large-scale projections. This third instalment in the Machine arrière series is produced in partnership with Radio France Studios and SESC São Paulo as part of the Bicentenary of Photography.

Practical information
- Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 7 pm.
- Closed on Mondays, 25 December, 1 January and 1 May.
- Recommended for ages 15 and over. Exhibition available in French, English and Brazilian Portuguese.