Artist Claudia Bitrán has completed a decade-long project titled "Titanic, A Deep Emotion," a shot-by-shot remake of James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster. Premiering at Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York, the film features a cast of 1,400 participants and utilizes a lo-fi, multidisciplinary approach involving painting, sculpture, and performance. Bitrán plays the role of Rose throughout, while the character of Jack is portrayed by a rotating cast of actors of various ages, genders, and ethnicities, with all special effects created by hand using recycled materials.
This project represents a significant exploration of fan culture, empathy, and the deconstruction of mass media through fine art. By replacing high-budget CGI with cardboard props and inflatable ships, Bitrán challenges the polished artifice of Hollywood while examining the personal and cultural impact of the original film. The work follows her previous investigations into pop icons like Britney Spears, positioning her as a key figure in contemporary art that bridges the gap between elite institutional practice and broad, relatable pop-culture narratives.