Lissa Rivera writes: “These dioramas are inspired by my interest in Daguerre’s career both a set designer and one of the most famed inventors of photography. I am interested in the cultural associations of the diorama as the ultimate artifice of nature and the photograph as the pencil of nature. I am also interested in the historical uses of dioramas ranging from the fantasy rides at Disneyland to its role as a modeling tool for special effects in film and theater. I am especially interested in toy theaters and childhood associations with diorama building. The subject matter is influenced by pure fantasy. I source my imagery from online archives; in which I colorize, print and mount to panels to create a three-dimensional model. The final product is the photo documentation.”
