Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Tangible Media: Removable Storage of Image, Sound, Motion and Data
Coating
Feux Pyriques

Date:

c. 1880

Material:

Lithography, watercolor, paper, cardboard

Location:

Paris, France

For a backlit French toy theater. Holes cut in the image let through light filtered through a hand-cranked, multi-colored scroll, which caused the lights to change color rapidly. Also known as "Chinese Fireworks."

A rough approximation of the effect. The paper roll is too delicate to just crank it through the box and record video. This is 5 frames taken one at a time and repeated.

Outer box lid. The outer box is wood covered with lithographed paper.
The scotch tape repairs are by a previous owner.
The slot at the bottom allows the user to swap panels or to put in the translucent screen for shadow theater.
The ribbons attached to both ends of the take up spool allow the sheet to be completely wound up on the other spool to create an opening for the shadow theater.