It may be difficult for most people to recall or conceive of a time before color film graced the silver screen. But we can peep artifacts from the early years of cinema and the transition to color technology, thanks to Italian film historian Davide Turconi, who preserved frames of 35mm films — made in the late 19th century to early 20th century — that were collected by Jesuit priest and cinephile Josef-Alexis Joye. "Dreaming in Color: The Davide Turconi Collection of Early Cinema," on view through June 24 at George Eastman Museum, exhibits about 600 digital reproductions of some of Turconi's 23,000 original nitrate frames of 35mm films.
In association with the exhibit, a special family event, "Playing in Color," will be held on Sunday, February 18, at 10 a.m. Artist Ray Ray Mitrano of WAYO 104.3FM will lead and live-broadcast an all-ages, hands-on activities that explore projection with light and color. Included with museum admission. George Eastman Museum, 900 East Avenue. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5-$15. 327-4800; eastman.org.