The zoetrope, meaning “life” and “turning” in Greek, is a pre-film animation device introduced in 1833. By spinning a sequence of still images on a cylindrical platform with vertical cuts on the sides, the zoetrope creates the illusion of motion as the viewer looks inside the small openings. The slits keep the images from blurring together, thus creating a natural flow of motion. While there have been a few modern examples of zoetropes placed in subway systems in cities such as Washington DC, New York, and San Francisco as public art, I have found the work of a more specialized artist to be very captivating.
Eric Dyer, otherwise known as “the modern master of the zoetrope” by multiple links on the internet, has gained fame bringing back the ancient medium in a contemporary way. He describes zoetropes as “time sculptures”, and was captivated by the tangibility of the device.
This moving sculpture, Implant (2015), uses the basic techniques of the zoetrope, while enhancing the user experience with his alterations of scale and material. The zoetrope spins in the dark, and the viewer can only see what is happening on the exterior surface when he or she shines a light on it. This sculpture was inspired by Dyer’s studies in gene therapy, the way healthy genes are inserted into the body using viruses. Dyer’s modern play on this ancient device creates an interactive and immersive experience for the viewer.
