“Wonderful display of Optical Illusions. Which introduces the Phantoms, or Apparitions of the Dead and Absent, in a way more completely illusive than has ever been witnessed, as the objects freely originate in the air, and unfold themselves in various forms, and sizes such as imagination alone has hitherto painted them, occasionally assuming a figure and most perfect resemblance of the heroes and other distinguished characters of past and present times. This Spectrology professes to expose the practices of artful imposters and exorcists, and to open the eyes of those who still foster an absurd belief in Ghosts or Disembodied Spirits”

– Showmen Bologna and Tomlinson, New York Evening Post, 4 November 1803

Come, sit down, sit down. Join us. Like your portrait taken? All of you, bunch together. Or not. It’s up to you. Sit still, don’t move. Sit still. It’s up to you. Wave your arms about! (but do care). It’s up to you. Sit here while I paint your portrait. Sit here while I take an exposure of you (expose you to light, expose you to time). Sit here and become space – sit here and become time. It’s up to you. Sit here and let’s make a film together. Bring your friends. Like your portrait taken? It’s up to you.

I’ll perform the piece three times: 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm.