Hove competes with Hollywood
April 2003

The technology of the 21st Century celebrates the medium of the 20th with Cogapp's two new touchscreen interactives for the revamped film gallery in Hove Museum.

The first is dedicated to Hove's early film pioneers and their work. Unlikely as it may seem, at the dawn of the development of cinema Hove was bigger than Hollywood.

The results were a range of intriguing, spectacular and comic short films; many of which can now be viewed in the museum. The pioneers' innovations which include trick shots, stunts, time reversal and other special effects are revealed in the interactive through animations, film clips, text and images.

Another system explores the history of the 35 cinemas located in Brighton and Hove since the end of the 19th Century. An interactive map allows the user to see how they have come and gone over time and provides links to in-depth information including many images. Oral histories also offer fascinating insights into the local people and their experiences of the cinemas.

Hove Museum recently re-opened following a major redevelopment. Awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Regional Arts Lottery Fund, Brighton and Hove Council, The Headley Trust and The Friends of Hove Museum & Art Gallery funded the project. The key collections of Toys, Film, Local History, Paintings and Contemporary Craft are now back on display, and accessibility to the museum and collections has been improved greatly.

Entrance to the museum is free, a visit is highly recommended.