Chilean artist Claudia Bitrán has spent over a decade remaking the 1997 film Titanic shot-for-shot, recruiting over 1,400 collaborators to help with the project. Bitrán's lo-fi version, which uses a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, performance, and sculpture, is set to premiere in New York at the Cristin Tierney Gallery. The artist's reimagining features a rotating cast of characters, handmade special effects, and scenes played out in multiple languages, aiming to deconstruct and reinterpret the iconic film.
Why it matters
Bitrán's Titanic, A Deep Emotion project reflects her long-standing fascination with the original film and her desire to engage broader audiences outside the art world. By reinterpreting a beloved pop culture classic through an artistic lens, the work offers a unique perspective on the film's enduring legacy and cultural impact.
The details
Bitrán set out specific rules for her remake, including playing the role of Rose herself while casting a rotating ensemble of actors as the other characters. All special effects were created by hand using recycled materials, and the scenes were performed in various languages. The artist's choices, such as casting a woman as Jack in the film's pivotal first meeting, were intended to cultivate empathy and reframe the narrative.
Bitrán began work on the project over 12 years ago.
The remake will have its New York premiere at the Cristin Tierney Gallery from February 20 to March 28, 2026.
