Four magic lanterns are mounted on cinderblocks, projecting black and white imagery.
On one wall, a man in a bowler hat stands in a tobacco field. The plants almost eclipse him. On the other wall, two projected images gently overlap. At the left, two grubs are unburied in dry soil. At the right, skeletal trees and burned houses sprout from ashes and matchwood; the soldiers at the center of the image are nearly indistinguishable from the ground.
Video of installation.
Note: some shots have a flickering effect which may affect photosensitive viewers. (0:55-1:13)
On the third wall, a project casts the image of a large storeroom. Light spills in from a window on the left, appearing like a tangible geometric volume amidst all the dust. There is a large pile of round white forms stretching up to the rafters: beets. This is a sugar factory.
The technology for the magic lantern projector dates back to the 17th century. The magic lantern is a product of the development of optics during the so-called scientific revolution and the enlightenment period.
In this iteration, light from a high power LED is condensed with a simple magnification lens, illuminating the glass photographic slide. Using a large Fresnel lens, the image is focused onto the gallery wall.
Planned to accommodate social-distancing protocols, the exhibit is visible from the street after sunset.
The title of the show, Reminder, is taken from the language for push notifications on the eBay mobile app.
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