3-D SPACE is intended to be a museum, gallery, theater, library and classroom dedicated to both the preservation of the history of stereoscopic imaging, and the advancement of current and future 3-D arts and sciences. I am raising funds to launch 3-D SPACE as a non-profit arts corporation, and over the next year I hope to be able to focus my skills as a 3-D creator, curator, administrator and teacher on making 3-D SPACE a physical reality in Los Angeles.
A little background – the inspiration for this project began 2-½ years ago, when I and Ray Zone, my mentor in all things 3-D, were able to rescue three truckloads of artifacts from the estate sale of the late 3-D expert and historian Dan Symmes. Ray and I discussed the possibility of someday finding a place to display these materials. Sadly, Ray passed away before we were able to move forward with any plans, but the idea continued to grow and last year at the World 3-D Expo III in Hollywood, I was able to display a piece from the collection – the Natural Vision camera rig used to film HO– USE OF WAX in 1953.
Why A 3-D Museum?
Thanks to recent advances in digital technologies, there has been a renewed enthusiasm for things 3-D. From record-breaking box office returns from 3-D movies such as TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to the new public interest in virtual reality due to the upcoming Oculus Rift device, 3-D seems to be back in the spotlight.
But most people aren’t aware that stereoscopic imaging has a very rich history that dates back to the 19th century. We want to create a center to celebrate the work of many talented artists, photographers and filmmakers who have used the medium of 3-D as their creative tool, and to educate the public on the art and science of stereography, from it’s analog beginnings in the 1830s to the immersive digital realms of the future:
- A Museum of permanent collections on display to educate about the history of 3-D art and science.
- A Gallery of curated exhibits by recent and current 3-D content creators.
- A Theater to screen 3-D films and other related cinematic works, and to host lectures and presentations.
- A Library of 3-D books, movies, and other media.
- A Classroom devoted to teaching the techniques and methods of 3-D image creation.