Musiscoop

laterna magica

The two magic lanterns on the left are ‘regular’ magic lanterns. As early as the 19th century, this simple technical device was used to project moving images, for instance by sliding the image of a small boat along a stationary glass plate on which a harbour was projected. This way, the boat entered the harbour. Western society further developed this projector into the film projector.
In Japan its development followed another direction; here, the lantern was (and still is) made of lightweight wood, and carried by hand beyond the screen. This specific technique is called ‘Utsusi-e’.
Ida Lohman used both old and new, European and Japanese techniques and mixes them up. She experimented to her heart’s content and thuoght up ingenious solutions to get the projected images into motion. Three layers of imagery on top of one another make a modern abstract moire effect. Tiny puppets are composed of clothes-pegs, beads and cord. Actual sand is used to create an hourglass volcano. By drawing a cord, the turtle (cut from a green top) starts to spin round, and by shifting a coloured strip, this turtle changes colour. During the performance, the players either bring to life the images inside the magic lantern by moving their fingers, or they project by using three magic lanterns simultaneously (photo on the left). In the new performance, Giant Light Circus, a player walks to and fro, carrying a modernised Utsusi-e lantern. As a result, circus animals jump around on an eight metres wide projection screen.