Stanley Kubrick, CCCB, Barcelona, 24 October 2018-31 March 2019

Stanley Kubrick needs no introduction, but there is plenty to discover about the background of his films. Accordingly, the Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB) is putting on a filmographic exhibition of Kubrick’s career.

On display are not only classic scenes from the director’s films, but also video and audio footage of their production. You can examine Kubrick’s cameras, documents, costumes and props. Included among them are the man-ape costume from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Jack Torrance’s axe from The Shining, and the masks from Eyes Wide Shut.

Especially exciting for any Kubrick admirers will be the materials from his unfinished projects “Napoleon” and “Aryan Papers”, and a detailed treatment of his early career as a photographer.

This sizeable 1,000 square foot exhibition was made possible by the winding up of Kubrick’s estate in 2003. Much of the stuff  on show is taken from this estate. The sheer number of items is testament to the craftsmanship and careful planning of Kubrick’s work. Even “Napoleon” and “Aryan Papers” bring a wealth of objects with them.

The showing of classic scenes will make this exhibition appealing even for those with limited or no knowledge of Kubrick’s work. The context is there to be considered.

The CCCB is renowned for its wide-ranging cultural displays, spanning film, literature, art, music and philosophy. Stepping into the CCCB, you’re not just entering a museum or gallery.

Opened in 1994, the building has since been extended, making for a striking combination of glass, brick, and stone pillars. Compare architecturally with the “new rationalist” Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, opened just a year later.