Art In Action: How Antique Cameras Affected The Art World
By Darla McCammon
We have talked before about the great Dutch artists such as Vermeer (1632-1675) who created the famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” and the incredible Italian artist of Mona Lisa fame, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).
Controversy continues to this day about whether either of these artists and others of that period utilized mechanical aids in the creation of their exquisite work. Evidence proves such devices existed—but did the artist use the device in developing the super realism they achieved?
We will have an opportunity to see a modern-day use of such a tool. It is a very antique but simple device called a “camera obscura” or more frequently, “pinhole camera.” Historians have traced references to such a device back into antiquity. The oldest existing drawing of such a device was found in the work by a Dutch scientist Frisius in 1545. Basically the camera is a simple box that does not have a lens but instead has a tiny hole, or aperture, in one side. You can make yourself one at home easily. You will see an upside-down image as you peer into the darkened light-tight box. Add a mirror and photo-sensitive paper and you can make the image permanent.
Historians believe the almost miraculous production of images from a tiny hole was discovered thousands of years ago by tribes in Africa. Their dark animal skin tents likely developed a tiny hole that would have projected an image on the opposite wall. Chinese scholars recorded the formation of an image, inverted, made from a pinhole. Aristotle referred to such images in the 4th century B.C.E. as well. As time went on, one of the first uses of the device was to view solar eclipses without damaging the eyes. It is fascinating.
If you wish to see a working giant camera obscura just get yourself to San Francisco to the historic Cliff House museum. This working camera was built by Floyd Jennings in the 1940s. There is a lens that rotates on the roof and projects a 360 degree image down onto a table. The museum explains how this was popularized during the Renaissance and how the name means “dark chamber” in Latin. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
If that is a bit far to travel, you are invited to join Nicole L. Croy, photographer and visual artist from Churubusco, who is a specialist in creating special effects with the pinhole camera. Croy will present her exhibit “Exploring the World of Handmade Pinhole Cameras” at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. The community is invited to attend this presentation and the following reception to learn more about this talented artist and the history of the pinhole camera. Mount Memorial is the beautiful building on Grace College campus at 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake. The art gallery is located on the second floor and the reception will continue until 9 p.m.
“Exploring the World of Handmade Pinhole Cameras” is comprised more than 80 pinhole photographs. The exhibit will be open through Dec. 8. The Mount Memorial Gallery is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
Upcoming and Current Events
Please contact Darla McCammon at [email protected] or (574) 527-4044 if you have an event to mention.
- The LAA gallery will feature Yoder and Wade abstracts and folk art until Oct. 28.
- Through Dec. 28, photography by Florida artist Darlene Romano will be on display at the Warsaw City Hall Gallery, located at 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Parking is located at the back of the building. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Online views of more work by Romano can be found at www.darleneromano.com.
- Now through Nov. 5, the View photography competition and exhibit is open at Clark Gallery in the Honeywell Center, Wabash. The gallery is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
- Now through Dec. 8, the Nicole Croy pinhole camera exhibit is open on the second floor of the Mount Memorial Gallery, 200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays.