Daily Archives: February 11, 2025

I could imagine myself as one of the audience members for Gaspard Robertson’s “Fantasmagorie” shows since I am a fan of horror and supernatural things, and at the time this show must’ve felt immersive and terrifying. During a time before true film and projection was invented, I think I would’ve been amazed and curious about how the show was being produced, since I always like to discover the behind the scenes for my favorite pieces of entertainment. With todays technology, we have the power to be even more immersed with virtual reality experiences and 4D shows. The reaction people have for those shows were probably the same reactions people had for the Fantasmagorie shows back in 1797.

“Fantasmagorie” wouldn’t be an experience that could ever be forgotten. The sensitivity of such a performance has the audience almost living the experience as if they are a part of it, not just a show. The essence of the show in a time as early as 1797 astounds me to this day, with the only thing that I could compare such to is Virtual Reality. While I can compare the two though, the experiences and methods that Robertson used during his shows, still haven’t even been replicated in that, its a once in a lifetime attraction, one which still has to have a candle match its flame, and one which still can not be outshined, even through our resources of today

Prompt 3

Can you imagine being an audience member at one of Gaspard Robertson’s “Fantasmagorie” shows in 1797? What do you think your reaction would have been?

Horror and gore are some of my favorite subjects, especially in the arts. There was no such thing as modern-day movies like the “Scream” franchise in 1797 so if I were an audience member during that time it would feel like an out-of-world experience. So I believe I would be one of Gaspard Robertson’s biggest fans regarding his “Fantasmagorie” shows. When it comes to bringing ghosts into a projection it increases the scare factor because it would feel as if they were really with you in the room. Not to mention the spooky aura from the candlelit room mixed with the glass harmonica would not only add to the experience but feel as if the show was a reality. The way he could bring the supernatural into the form of a real-life projection with him trying to mix as many elements to further improve his shows would impress and captivate me.

When I was a lot more younger my father would actually improvise bed time stories and would use a lamp and his hands to cast hand shadows onto the wall. This meshed with his oral storytelling introduced me to the media of shadow puppets and hand shadows.

Much like in the video “The Master of Shadow Puppets”, Zheng’an’s performance with shadow puppets and story telling made me think back to when my father would do it with his hands.

Attending one of Robertson’s shows in 1797 would have been an unforgettable experience. The projections of ghosts and specters would feel so real that I might momentarily believe in magic. The mastery of light and shadow would create an immersive illusion, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.

This sensation reminds me of my first immersive VR experience. Just as VR transports users into hyper-realistic worlds, Robertson’s illusions played with perception, making the impossible seem tangible.