Zoom Rockman’s first major London show opens in May

By John Freeman on March 15, 2023 • ( 1 )

Zoom Rockman's Jewish Hall of Fame (2023)

Coming soon to the stunning JW3 in North West London is Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame, the award-winning 22-year-old political cartoonist and paper puppet animator’s first major London show, opening on Tuesday 23rd May 2023.

Zoom is creating a series of ten automata of British cultural icons, with several of the celebrities voicing their own mechanicals! Plus a plethora of some 80+ of Zoom’s brilliant cartoons of famous faces throughout the interactive exhibition.

Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame is described as “London’s new Summer Exhibition”, with a perfect cheeky “end of the pier” vibe, with the automata in traditional seaside settings.

Which celebrity will be at the candyfloss cart? What famous face is running the Fossil store? Zoom’s clues are there..!

So why not… Grab a selfie with Sacha Baron Cohen dressed as Moses as he parts the Red Sea! (Zoom depicted him as Moses because he’s more recognisable in costume than he is in real life!). You can also experience being fired from Lord Sugar’s Beigel Shop, or take part in an interactive performance by the late, great, Amy Winehouse! Or score a goal with Alex Scott wearing her One Love armband!

With six more famous cultural icon automata still to be revealed… who will they be, and what will they be doing?!

The exhibition will also see Zoom make a return to comics in over 14 years, making and publishing his 14th issue of The Zoom!

Zoom Rockman (his real name), became the youngest-ever contributor to The Beano (aged 12), Private Eye Magazine (at 16), The Sunday Times (“Zoom’s Week”, at 21), and named by the Evening Standard as one of the Most Influential Londoners under 25.

Zoom graduated in 2022 with a first class degree in Graphic Design from Central Saint Martins – and Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame is his first major public show.

This is JW3’s first immersive and interactive exhibition, with timed ticket entry allowing only 20 visitors per session – so everyone can enjoy the artwork and unique installations. And even hand crank and work the brilliant automata.

“I always start with paper and ink as I love the resistance of paper,” says Zoom., “But I’ve always wanted my drawings to move. Animation takes so long to create, but pushing puppets in real time was fast. My puppet making technique is now a precise combination of illustrations and mechanics, and I’ve invented a programmable machine called the Zoomascope.

“The machine does the job of puppeteering for me when I’m not there, so the audience can turn the handle and the drawings come to life in front of them.

“Part of my motivation in making it was thinking about how we might entertain ourselves after the apocalypse! The Zoomascope, is Pre-Cinema Technology in the 21st century!”

Each automaton is hand-crafted with Zoom’s unique Zoomascope. Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame is curated by comic aficionado and UK Comic Art Award winner, “The Man at the Crossroads”, Paul Gravett.

Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame summer fun perfectly complements the free real sandy Beach at JW3, open throughout the summer (from July). With deck chairs aplenty – bring your bucket and spade and make JW3 your summer destination! The delicious Baladyt vegetarian restaurant and café – serves the best falafels in town and ice cream aplenty!

So book your tickets for Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame – and check out what else is on in JW3’s state of the art cinema and theatre for a great day out!

• Zoom Rockman’s Jewish Hall of Fame
Tuesday 23rd May – Sunday 3rd September 2023
JW3, 341-345 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET
Box Office: jw3.org.uk/zoom | Entry ticket price: £6 per person (concessions £3 per ticket) – Children under four go free | Please note: 20 capacity, in 30 minute slots

Monday – Wednesday: 10.30am – last entry 9.00pm | Thursday & Sunday:10.30am – last entry 10.00pm | Closed Friday & Saturday | Thursday 25th May: last entry 2.00pm | Monday 1st May & Friday 26 May: closed | VIP Gala Night: Monday 5th June 2023 – full details TBC

• Zoom Rockman is online at zoomrockman.com | Twitter

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.