Cosmological Cinema

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Science WorldTelus World of Science

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

1986

Model of the UniverseJohannes Kepler

1619 In the 20th century, it became possible for the first time to

radially extend mental images onto the dome screen using

projections of light.

Everyone stands under his own dome of heavenAnselm Kiefer1970

Total Environment Learning LabRoger Ferragallo

Oakland, California, USA1967

FlammarionAn anonymous woodcut depicting

a pilgrim looking beyond the firmament to see the inner workings

of the universe.Date Unknown

YggdrasilThe ‘World Tree’ of Norse Cosmology

Dream TempleMariko MoriMilan, Italy1999

Movie-DromeStan Vanderbeek

Stony Point, New York, USA1965

Pepsi PavilionExperiments in Art and TechnologyOsaka, Japan

1970

The Vortex Experiments

Henry Jacobs & Jordan BelsonSan Francisco, California, USA

1957-59

Rose Center for Earth and Space

New York, New York, USA2000

La GéodeParis, France1985

Bok GlobuleCarter Emmart & Leo Villareal

Black Rock City, Nevada, USA2004

Three-Story Universe

Common to numerous

cosmologies worldwide

Rainforest Dome Nate Pagel / Obscura Digital

San Francisco, California, USA2005

Sonic VisionRose Center for

Earth and SpaceAnimation based on paintings by Alex Grey2004

Innovations in architecture, large format cinema,

and computer graphics enabled the development of elaborate domed theaters for art installations, educational

environments, and entertainment spectacles.

As they are transformed into networked, multi-

user virtual environments, what will immersive dome displays reveal about the evolution of worldviews in

the 21st century?

In the latter half of the 20th century, numerous artists, engineers, and educators experimented with domed

environments to explore the possibilities of mediated

sensory immersion.

The CosmologiCal CinemaMetaphor, Symbolism & Immersion

Cupola Jeffrey Shaw

Lille, France 2004

Celestial MechanicsD. Scott Hessels & Gabriel Dunne

Los Angeles, California, USA2005

The perceived shape of the celestial screen has influenced the evolution of mental maps around the world, revealed by

numerous artistic, religious, and scientific artifacts and

beliefs.

From Buddhist stupas to Islamic mosques to Christian cathedrals, these structures have been used as places of ritual, indoctrination,

and transcendence.Dome of the RockEast Jerusalem, Israel

691

Boudhanath Stupa

Kathmandu, Nepal5th century

Basilica di San Pietro

Vatican City1626

Abakh Hoja TombCashi, China

ca. 1640

Hagia SophiaIstanbul, Turkey

537

Assumption of the VirginAntonio Allegri da Correggio

Cathedral of Parma, Italy1530

San Lorenzo DomeGuarino Guarini

Turin, Italy1687

The Apotheosis of Washington

Constantino BrumidiUnited States Capitol

BuildingWashington D.C., USA

1865Camera degli SposiAndrea MantegnaMantua, Italy1474

Sultan Faraj ibn Barquq Mausoleum

Cairo, Egypt1411

The rounded enclosures have often been used as canvases

upon which to represent psycho-cosmological constructs, with both

internal and external surfaces often steeped in visually and

geometrically symbolic meaning.

Cultures from around the world have long turned to the dome of the heavens to

better understand the cosmos.

Angkor WatAngkor, Cambodia

12th century

StonehengeAmesbury, Englandca. 2500-2000 BCE

Nebra StardiskNebra, Germany

ca. 1600 BCE

La Piedra del SolAztec Calendar Stoneca. 15th century

Experience TheaterMorton Heilig

New York, New York, USA1966

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Sanchi StupaSanchi, India

3rd Century BCE

Newgrange Passage Tomb

Newgrange, Ireland ca. 3200 BCE

Mycenaean Tholos TombMycenae, Greece ca. 1250 BCE

Peyote Sweat LodgeCheyenne Nation Origin date unknown

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As this perceived curvature has manifested architecturally throughout the world, domed

structures have been used to enclose the most sacred environments of many cultures.

Mnemosynic Research:

David McConville<id@elumenati.com>

West Asheville, North Carolina, USA

Affiliations:

Planetary Collegium<PhD Candidate/CAiiA-Hub>

The Elumenati<Director of Noospheric Research>

Rosicrucian Planetarium

San Jose, California, USA1936

Zeiss PlanetariumJena, Germany1923

Adler PlanetariumChicago, Illinois, USA

1930

Hayden PlanetariumNew York, New York, USA

1935

Theatre of Time and SpaceNew York World’s FairNew York, New York, USA1939

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