ACMI recreates 19th-century magic lantern show for Light exhibition

A once-global entertainment phenomenon that paved the way for “the cinema we now know” is set to wow audiences at ACMI.

Dr Martyn Jolly will recreate a 19th-century magic lantern show as part of ACMI's Light: Works from the Tate's Collection exhibition. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A kaleidoscope of “swirling and pulsating colours” will light up ACMI as audiences are given a rare chance to experience an authentic 19th-century magic lantern show.

The once-global entertainment phenomenon paved the way for “the cinema we now know”, according to Honorary Associate Professor Martyn Jolly from Australian National University.

“It also fed into more mundane things, like the good old PowerPoint presentation,” he said.

From September 9-11, Dr Jolly and colleague Dr Elisa deCourcy will use 140-year-old glass slides and projectors to recreate a magic lantern show as part of ACMI’s Light: Works from the Tate’s Collection exhibition.

Ashleigh Drury will perform electro-acoustic music live to accompany the performance.

And a set of 16 slides named Jane Conquest and telling the “thrilling story” of a shipwreck that have been on display at ACMI’s free permanent exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, will form part of the show.

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Magic lantern shows were a global form of entertainment in the 19th century.

Recreating magic lantern shows forms part of Dr Jolly and Dr deCourcy’s research into historic Australian media.

He said the entertainment format originated in Europe and the US before spreading throughout the world, and involved people sitting “shoulder to shoulder in the dark” in church and school halls, theatres and pubs, and “experiencing illusions and psychedelic effects on a screen” while hearing music and stories.

A magic lantern slide.

While the purpose was “always to entertain”, religious groups and temperance societies also used the shows “to promote non-drinking and save souls”.

“We are trying to recreate what we call ‘the tingle’ – ‘the tingle’ of sharing an experience with other people in an intimate, darkened space,” Dr Jolly said.

“It will be fun for all ages and a unique experience.”

More than 70 works spanning two centuries, and including paintings, photographs, sculptures, immersive installations and the moving image, are on show at ACMI’s Light: Works from Tate’s Collection until November 13.

For more information about the Magic Lantern Show, and to buy tickets, visit acmi.net.au/whats-on/light-works-from-tates-collection-exhibition/magic-lantern-show