Autism Friendly
Tomb Raiding Cinema: Scratch video to experimental machinima
- Tickets
-
Free - ticket required
- Dates and times
-
Wednesday 27th May 2026
6:00pm
- Age
- 16+ years
- Venue
Join the National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall for a screening of artist moving image exploring the collision between cinema and videogames. This programme traces the emergence of machinima, from its precursors in the 1980s through to the early 2000s, an under-investigated period between Y2K anxiety and the Global Financial Crisis that produced groundbreaking works of experimentation when filmmakers began using videogames as a cinematic canvas.
Wednesday 27th May, 6pm. Free but ticketed, please book here.
The programme opens with George Snow's ‘Shuttle Disaster’ (1986) from the University of Dundee's REWIND Artists’ Video collection. The work is an example of scratch video, a British art movement of the 1980s in which filmmakers recorded broadcast television and re-edited the footage into fast-cut, politically charged works inspired by the sampling and mixing culture of hip-hop. ‘Shuttle Disaster's’ collage of early computer graphics and TV news footage dissects the Cold War propaganda divide and sets the scene for what follows.
The remaining films are examples of machinima - where videogame engines replace the traditional film camera. Peggy Ahwesh's 'She Puppet' (2001) reimagines Lara Croft in a poetic odyssey of entrapment through the sun-scorched landscapes of Tomb Raider.
At the heart of the programme is Phil Solomon's trilogy, 'In Memoriam (Mark LaPore)' (2007–2008), which he created as an elegy for film and his friend and fellow filmmaker Mark LaPore. Filmed inside 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas', these works feature brooding, rain-soaked scenes - not unlike Scotland - and steeped in themes of grief, loss, and post-9/11 decay.
George Snow's "Shuttle Disaster" (1989) – 6 mins
Peggy Ahwesh's "She Puppet" (2001) – 15 mins
Phil Solomon's trilogy In Memoriam (Mark LaPore):
a."Rehearsals for Retirement" (2007) – 12 mins
b."Last Days in a Lonely Place" (2007) – 21 mins
c."Still Raining, Still Dreaming" (2008) – 12 mins
Total screening duration: 1 hour 8 minutes
Recommended age guide 15+. Content warning for videogame violence.
Accessibility guides
The AccessAble guide can be found here
The Kelvin Hall Visual Story can be found here.
A floor plan for the venue is available here.
Other accessibility information
Please note that only assistance dogs are permitted within the building.
Kelvin Hall has a dedicated quiet room that can be used for prayer or for those needing a calm space. It is located on the ground floor beside the Sports Hall, please ask staff for directions.
Sensory bags which include ear defenders are available for visitors to use during their time in Kelvin Hall. These can be collected from reception.
Accessible toilets
The accessible toilet is located off the main corridor. There is changing places toilet.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Hearing loop
There is a fixed loop hearing assistance system.
If you use British Sign Language, you can watch our British Sign Language introduction to Kelvin Hall.
Wheelchair access
There is wheelchair and pram access to all public areas using the lifts and there are free wheelchairs available to hire at reception.
Baby changing
There is a dedicated baby changing room near reception, please ask staff for directions. The Play n' Climb has its own toilets with additional baby changing facilities.
Baby feeding
Cafe or restaurant
The Café at Kelvin Hall is a bright open space, located on the left hand side as you enter the building. There is a combination of booth seating and tables. It's a great space to meet friends, catch up before a class or grab a takeaway coffee before a walk through the West end.
See the menu here.
The Kelvin Hall café serves breakfast, lunch, kid's meals, cakes, coffee and cold drinks.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8.30am-5pm
Borrow Cup
As part of our commitment to reducing our use of disposable drinks cups, the Kelvin Hall Café is now participating in the Borrow Cup scheme. For a £1 deposit, customers are served their drinks in a reusable Borrow Cup, this cup can then be returned to the café or another participating venue where the £1 deposit will be returned.
Parking
Paid parking is available at the Bunhouse Road car park. The car park is managed by City Parking.
There are spaces reserved for blue badge holders close to the entrance of Kelvin Hall on Bunhouse Road as well as on street parking, where standard charges apply.
Bunhouse Road Car park has facilities for electric car charging as part of the ChargePlace Scotland public network.
Parking costs:
Up to 1 hour £3.00
• 1-2 hours £5.00
• 2-3 hours £7.50
• 3-4 hours £10.00
• 4-5 hours £10.00
• 5-6 hours £10.00
• 6-7 hours £10.00
• 7-8 hours £10.00
• 8-9 hours £10.00
• 9-10 hours £10.00
• Overnight Flat rate 6pm - 8am £3.00
Please note these machines take coins only and no change can be given.
Maximum stay 10 hours
Cashless parking is available as a payment method via RingGo at our surface pay! We advise downloading or registering for RingGo prior to your visit. To register or find out more please visit https://myringgo.co.uk/.
This car park is operated by Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability for more information please visit https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/carparks
Photography and video recording
Please follow this link to read guidelines on photography, filming and sketching in all Glasgow Life Museums.
Free wifi
Location Map
We encourage visitors to use public transport or active travel to access Kelvin Hall where possible.
Use Traveline Scotland to plan your trip
By train
Kelvin Hall is around 20 minutes walk from Partick Station
Subway
The nearest subway station is Kelvinhall.
By bus
First Bus services 2, 3 and 77 all stop outside the museum.
By Bike:
Kelvingrove Park forms part of the Kelvin Walkway, which links with the Glasgow Loch Lomond Clydeway and the West Highland Way. The venue can be easily reached by bicycle and bicycle parking is available to the front of the building.
There is secure, covered short term bike storage provided by Cyclehoop located at the front of the building. This can be accessed and paid for via the Cyclehoop app, this can be downloaded here.
By Car
Kelvin Hall is situated on Argyle Street, around 6 minutes from the M8.