London’s 180 Studios is currently hosting “Paradigm Shift: New Dimensions in Moving Image,” a sprawling exhibition exploring the evolution of visual storytelling from the 1970s to the present day. The show, which opened October 15, 2025, and runs through February 1, 2026, draws from avant-garde cinema, television, music video, performance art, fashion, gaming, and internet culture, presenting a diverse collection of works that challenge traditional notions of image-making. Tickets are available through the 180 Studios website.
The exhibition isn’t simply a retrospective; it’s a conversation across generations of artists who have pushed the boundaries of the moving image. Curated by Mark Wadhwa and Jefferson Hack, co-founder and CEO of Dazed, “Paradigm Shift” features the work of 19 artists, including Andy Warhol, Nan Goldin, and Mark Leckey, alongside contemporary voices like Martine Syms and TELFAR. The show’s ambition is to trace how technology has shaped not only the creation of these works, but as well our relationship to the screen itself.
A History of Revolution on Screen
Hack describes the exhibition as an exploration of how video art and moving image have always existed at a crossroads – “high and low, visceral and conceptual, personal and political.” He notes that “Paradigm Shift” aims to demonstrate how artists inspire us to engage with storytelling in new ways, encouraging viewers to “feel more, imagine more and recover our senses.”
The exhibition’s title reflects its central theme: the constant disruption and redefinition of visual culture. From the advent of Super 8 and VHS in the 1970s and 80s to the hyper-connectivity of the digital age, artists have consistently embraced new technologies to challenge established norms. The show highlights how these shifts have not only altered the aesthetics of moving image art but also democratized the means of production and distribution.
Featured Artists and Key Works
Among the featured artists is Mark Leckey, represented by his seminal 1999 work, Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore. This piece, a frenetic collage of found footage from British rave culture, is a landmark example of how artists began to repurpose and remix existing media in the digital age. Also on display are works by Arthur Jafa, whose powerful video installations explore themes of Black identity and representation, and Cao Fei, known for her explorations of virtual worlds and the impact of technology on Chinese society.
The exhibition also includes work by Martine Syms, whose multimedia projects examine the complexities of Black female identity and representation in contemporary culture. Other artists featured include Sophia Al-Maria, Meriem Bennani, Dara Birnbaum, Foday Dumbuya, Tremaine Emory, Julianknxx, Josèfa Ntjam, Pipilotti Rist, Ryan Trecartin, and Gillian Wearing.
A Subterranean Space Transformed
“Paradigm Shift” is housed within the vast subterranean spaces of 180 Studios, located at 180 The Strand in London. The location itself contributes to the immersive experience, providing a unique backdrop for the diverse range of moving image works on display. The exhibition includes both historical pieces and newly commissioned works, offering a comprehensive overview of the field’s evolution.
As the exhibition nears its close on February 1, 2026, 180 Studios will likely be announcing further programming and events related to “Paradigm Shift.” Visitors interested in experiencing this exploration of moving image culture are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through the 180 Studios website. The exhibition offers a compelling gaze at how artists have continually redefined the possibilities of visual storytelling, and its impact on how we perceive the world around us.
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