It seems to fit in with the whole neo-Victorian thing that the new generation is discovering, he says of the nearly extinct phenomena. It was a romantic period, and its interesting to look at it in comparison to where we are right now. Their lives were incredibly slower than ours, but of a much higher quality. There was a lot less stuff: Imagine a guy with a backpack, bringing these images to a village somewhere. I have more in my iPhone than he ever saw in his life. Among his favorites are slip slides, which utilize multiple pieces of glass to simulate movement, and spiraling mandala-like chromothropes: Imagine one of those spinning in the flickering light of limelight or kerosene that would have been pretty trippy.
Magic Lantern remains on view at MOA, 1000 Englewood Parkway in Englewood, through February 13. For details, go to www.moaonline.org or call 303-806-0444.
Mondays-Fridays. Starts: Nov. 6. Continues through Feb. 13, 2008