THROUGH MULTIPLE LENSES CAMERA

2015 // COPENHAGEN [DK]

“Through Multiple Lenses”, the next iteration of the multiple lensed camera obscura [See, MERT], had to sit completely inside the storefront behind a large window. This presented the opportunity to place a smaller parasitic structure on the exterior, on which hinged mirrors were held in front of the two lenses for the camera—setting up a silent conversation between the exterior and the interior space. People on the sidewalk could manipulate the mirrors and thus completely change the projected image inside the camera space—building an unspoken link between the two. 

As with the classic Danish street mirror, that allowed occupants of the apartment to look down the sidewalk in both directions, via two mirrors each placed at 45˚ in front of the window. So are the mirrors in Through Multiple Lenses arranged to only capture one end of the street. But where the Danish street mirror gave the occupants an option of which way to look, here the two views are merged into one singular image, creating a new impression of the city. People and cars moving past the storefront would come at the audience, for then to disappear for a second before moving away again. Constantly challenging our perception of space.

The camera was developed as part of an exhibition by the same name at the Leth & Gori Storefront.