A Phantasmagoria refers to a sequence of real or imaginary images, like that seen in a dream, which are often ghoulish or spectral. It is also the name given to certain optical illusions popularised in the 19th century where images of horror were raised into existence.

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For the Society of Antiquaries of London's Friday Late event on the 27th October 2023, Frank Waterton recreated the illusion known as the ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ effect, as popularised by the British scientist John Henry Pepper in the 1860’s, as a site-specific installation to conjure images from occult or macabre material in the Society’s collections into the Library.

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Many of the images from the Society’s archives, broadsides, and printed book collections which were summoned and flickered into existence were also on display in the Library.

 

Credits:

Directed & constructed by Frank Waterton
Filmed and edited by Richard Waterton

Running time: 5 minutes, looped.