joint research unit 7172
Theory and history of the arts
and literature of modernity
19th–21st century

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Albert Robida’s Visions of the Future time: The Magic Lantern Turned Into a Magic Mirror

Auteur : Fleur Hopkins-Loféron

Journal : The Magic Lantern Gazette

Often called a “prophet”, “visionary” or “clairvoyant”, Albert Robida’s work is said by Philippe Willems to be written in a stereoscopic way, that is to say the future is seen in three dimensions, using a stereoscope. In this article, I will show that another optical device had an even more significant influence: the magic lantern. This magic box is indeed a recurrent metaphor in both his literature and illustrations, and it even inspired an invention in the future: the telephonoscope.

Updated on 01/01/2016