ARCHEOSCOPE (2017)
Archeoscope is an analog hand operated special projecting apparatus for a live film performances. It was designed for a film understood as a articulation of light. Invented in order to examine and experience the essential aspects of film as a lively ephemeral luminous phenomenon as well our own perception itself. To reconsider the established tradition, standards and technology and usual habits. It can project all standard film formats, but also various materials like transparent tapes, bandages, laces, etc. It’s open frame design allows it to be sort of a transformer – a flexible machine, that can change parameters allowing various formats to be screened in various ways. The only way to witness the projection of the Archeoscope is to attend a live projection and see it with own naked eyes as the projection is technically irreproducible.
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ARCHEOSCOPE FILMS
MAGIC BOX (2011)
A special projecting apparatus for live film performances inspired by some of the earliest investigations on physiology of human vision and perception conducted by the genious forefather of cinema Jan Evangelista Purkyně. It is a mono functional live controlled combined-technology device designed for adapting three of his early 19th century heautognistic sensorial experiments into a projection situation. Combines a discharge-tube stroboscope, three modified still projectors with variable external shutters, dual sine wave generator and modified opaque projector with audio-kinetic setup for visualisation of the sound via matter and liquid set in motion through the vibrations of specific frequencies and interferences. Due to modifications and overall specific setup, this apparatus is capable of projection real motion (unlike classic cinematic illusion of movement) which opens the was otherwise inaccessible field of specific visual sensations and various visual phenomena. It’s heavily focused on the mysterious, ephemeral, subjective, phantom visual phenomena. Based of the simplest technological means, playing with the most fundamental underlying of both the cinematic machines and our perception. The orchestration of some of the most basic principles set into intriguing immersive luminous play that opens the doors of perception way beyond a mere sensorial experiments. Questioning not only the very ontological fundaments of film but also our own being. Targeting the ticklish spots of our perception to reveal some of the hidden nature that lies behind.
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STATE-OF-ART 16mm PROJECTOR (2024-26)
A project realised in collaboration with LaborBerlin (together with Bernd Lutzeler and Juan Monroy) within the SPECTRAL PROJECT. The goal of this project was to create a powerful and versatile 16mm projector, that would utilise new technologies in classical 16mm projector. Bright light and new functions, useful in context of the practice of expanded cinema and experimental film. We chose EIKI RT for it’s availability, and good mechanics as a base and made a profound upgrade. A new brushless FOC controlled motor provides a wide range of playback speeds (~ 2fps to 32fps). Watter cooled 800W LED chip as main light source provides a bright picture and also a possibility of “virtual shutter”. The mechanical shutter has been removed and three new knobs serves as a controls to adjust parameters of the virtual shutter (timing of the light) This projector can now simulate 1 – 5 shutter blades, 0 – 360 shutter angle and 360deg phase shift (timing of the shutter relative to film transport). This brings a sheer versatility into projection of standard 16mm films. Functions like single frame forward or backward, precisely dimmable lamp brightness, possibility to stop the film transport allows for example a delicate control over frame burning. Apart from optical sound, this projector is equipped by a digital sound output – put your soundtrack on interchangeable SD card and play it directly through the projector with possibility of exact sync including slowing down or speeding up according to actual speed of projection. A digital simulation, fuller spectral range, but mainly this function means you don’t have to make a real combined print while you can have precisely synced soundtrack. This is thanks to internal frame counter, that also allows you to see the exact FPS at the moment, but also possibility of SYNC function of other projectors of the same type. All these functions and more was created in a modular design as a open source project with documentation and step-by-step guide free for everyone who would like to make his own copy o this projector, or utilising just some parts of it into their own version.
SCOPITONE (2019)
A contemporary take on forgotten device once used in very similar way as music Jukeboxes. This Scopitone is a hybrid, integrating both the digital and analog means for projection. One custom designed 16mm projector with continuous film transport with optical soundtrack and approximately 3 minutes film loop. Custom build digital projector can play another 9 films on a video from interchangeable USB drive. Audio inputs and outputs also allows the machine to be used as a Karaoke machine.
SPINNING DISCS PROJECTORS (2018)
Interactive museum installation version of spinning disk projectors. Set of three rotary still image projectors same as used in Magic Box adapted for a museum. Fixed projectors with round projection tables where visitors can control speed of rotation, intensity of light and flickering frequencies. Light can be either continuous or intermitted with various durations of light flashes and dark phases. It also features a fully automated mode of pre-programmed sequence demonstrating specific perception phenomena described by a fictional “phone call” to the Jan Evangelista Purkyně. All you have to do is pick up the integrated telephone headset and you are calling directly to ingenious 19th century scientist who tells you what he had discovered about physiology of our vision while experimenting with spinning discs observed in various conditions and learn first handedly some of the fundamental discoveries such as afterimages or persistence of vision that becomes to be the very foundation of film media itself.’
THE RUNNING PROJECTOR (2019)
What if instead of the film running through the projector the projector runs along the film? If the film strip laying down still on the long see through table, enlightened with the flashes of light and the projected picture runs along the wall. It becomes to be an 4,2m long editing table, where the individual shots, pieces of film can be moved around and rearranged simply without the need of being sticked together with splices. That allows easy and fast editing. This projector was designed as an installation for an interactive film museum, where the visitors can become a film editors, and with direct hands on approach experience the magic of film montage, where the order of the same shots can create different meanings. An instant syntax table. Kuleshov effect film bar. Playful physical way to introduce anyone into combinatory magic of the film medium.
AUTOMATED HAND CRANKED 35mm PROJECTOR (2018)
Designed as a simple interactive installation for museum, this modified 35mm projector let’s you become a projectionist of past times. Just turn the crank and the machine become alive all by itself. The main light turns on, sound goes up and the projection appears. It’s open see through walls allows you to see what is happening inside, the panel on the back side carries labeled buttons, that when pressed, highlights the most important parts of the projector with the help of little hidden in built bulbs.
FOLLEY MACHINES (2016)
Set of acoustic, electro acoustic and electronic musical devices inspired by the silent film era where films were sometimes accompanied not only by live musicians, but also by a live folley artists. This set of three instruments is producing different sounds and sound effects, based on various principles of metallophone or wind instruments using springs, string, air pumps or whistles and they are either completely acoustic, amplified by contact microphones or fully electron magnetic. That is the extra anachronistic addition of the ‘magnetic tape scratching board’ where instead of the common scenario where a magnetic tape runs along the playhead, you are holding the playhead in your hand, move it along the tape and the speed and direction of the motion controls the playback of sound samples recorded on pieces of tape fixed to the board. These were made mainly for workshop series for kids letting them experience this playful chapter of silent film in action.
