In its first iteration, The Shakespeare Portraits (Act. I) captures the presence and spirit of some of the most revered Shakespearean actors of our time, including Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Dame Harriet Walter and Sir Derek Jacobi, amongst other giants of stage and screen. The studio presents ten living portraits, fusing the timeless appeal of portraiture with the emotional depth and intimacy of performance, in an unprecedented and truly personal encounter.

These seemingly endless “living portraits” embody the essence of the sitter, revealing their nuances gradually only when lived with for an extended period of time, with hundreds of thousands of possible still moments. Each piece includes an iconic speech curated, in collaboration with the actors, and with guest director Ron Daniels (Royal Shakespeare Company Honorary Associate Director), evoking the profound bond between the performer, their audience and the text - be it a long-aspired-for character, a favourite speech, or a career-defining role. 

Captured in a single take using state-of-the-art cinematography, the portraits are then meticulously refined through post-production. Each one-of-one piece is authenticated on-chain, encased in a custom digital frame, and designed to sit seamlessly among traditional artworks in public and private collections.

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This debut collection marks a sustainable new path for performance in the art world, combining ethical, artist-led production with emerging technologies and a long-term commitment to the performing arts community.