Show 20250419

Anaglyph Jukebox: Caligula

3D Journey: Ice Fishing

Jim Harp with a report on the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit called “The New Art – American Photography 1839 -1910” and Matt Infante’s show of Medium Format 3D slides at Brooklyn Film Camera.

NSA 3D-Con 2025 will be held in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, August 3-11 2025, at the Hilton Minneapolis-St Paul Airport.

Looking Glass and IOS

A Journey Through History and Stereoscopic Art

The April 19th, 2025 episode of NYSA Presents! delighted audiences with a vibrant mix of historical exploration and cutting-edge stereoscopic photography. Host Joe Pedoto took viewers on a deep dive into the complex legacy of Emperor Caligula, while Jim Harp showcased stunning 3D photography exhibits in New York City. Paul Hutchkins rounded out the show with a captivating 3D journey to Iceland’s fishing industry, making this episode a rich blend of education and visual artistry.

Exploring Caligula’s Legacy with the Anaglyph Jukebox

Joe Pedoto kicked off the show with the Anaglyph Jukebox, offering a nuanced look at the infamous Roman Emperor Caligula, officially known as Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Often dubbed the “mad emperor,” Caligula’s reputation for erratic behavior was likely exaggerated by successors for political gain, a tactic Joe likened to modern smear campaigns. He debunked the myth that Caligula sought to make his horse, Incitatus, a senator, clarifying that Caligula’s quip about his horse offering better advice than the Senate was a humorous jab. Joe highlighted Caligula’s lavish treatment of Incitatus, noting the emperor’s wealth allowed for such extravagances. He also suggested that Caligula’s possible epilepsy, referred to as the “falling sickness,” and his use of stimulants or love potions may have contributed to his erratic behavior, as he reportedly slept only three to four hours nightly. The segment emphasized Caligula’s youth—he was in his mid-20s when he assumed power—and the complexity of his character, challenging the one-dimensional villain narrative.
The Jukebox then transitioned to a fascinating historical discovery: Caligula’s pleasure ships at Lake Nemi, 19 miles south of Rome. These massive vessels, known as the “Prima Navis” (First Ship) and a floating platform, were extravagant symbols of Caligula’s spending, featuring marble palaces, gardens, and plumbing for baths. Described by ancient historian Suetonius as adorned with jewels and lush amenities, the ships were uncovered in 1929 when Mussolini ordered the lake drained. Despite their preservation in a museum built in 1936, the ships were tragically destroyed in 1944, likely by retreating Nazis. This segment, presented in 3D, brought the grandeur and tragedy of Caligula’s era to life, blending historical intrigue with stereoscopic visuals.

A 3D Journey to Iceland’s Fishing Industry

Paul Hutchkins transported viewers to Iceland for a 3D journey exploring the nation’s fishing industry, filmed at the Reykjavik Maritime Museum and the surrounding harbor and seafront. Iceland, just south of the Arctic Circle, boasts Reykjavik as the northernmost capital city in the world. Paul’s segment captured the gritty reality of the fishing trade, with vivid scenes of boats being repaired—welding rotors, scrubbing keels, and patching hulls. Accompanied by a poetic narration about the challenges of the industry, including economic struggles and the need for guiding lights to navigate treacherous waters, the visuals evoked both the beauty and hardship of life at sea. This immersive presentation highlighted the power of 3D storytelling to bring distant cultures and industries into sharp focus.

Stereoscopic Photography Shines in New York

Jim Harp brought the show back to New York City, sharing his recent visits to two remarkable photography exhibits. The first was at Brooklyn Film Camera, a vintage camera and film store at 855 Grand Street, Brooklyn, hosting a medium-format 3D slide exhibit by professional photographer Matt Infante. Running throughout April, the exhibit features ten modified 3D World viewers with light panels, showcasing Infante’s stunning stereo photography of New York. Jim praised the innovative display solution for medium-format 3D slides, a challenging medium to present, and highlighted Infante’s use of a twin Yashica-D camera rig. The store itself, easily accessible from the Grand Street stop, offers film, used camera bags, and workshops, making it a haven for photography enthusiasts.

The second exhibit, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled The New Art: American Photography 1839–1910, runs through July and prominently features stereoscopic photography. Jim described a large-format camera display with a ground glass that creates an inverted 3D-like effect for viewers’ faces, a playful nod to early photographic techniques. The exhibit includes six frames, each containing six pristine stereo cards, covering themes like the Civil War, with rare images such as the 1861 fortifications of Camp Essex in Maryland. Other highlights include a unique stereo card of a brass instrument shop, possibly a one-off for the shop’s owner, and a striking image of silver bricks at a Colorado smelting company. A rare stereo card from the late 1860s, depicting stereo photographers at work with a wet plate camera and portable darkroom, captivated Jim for its glimpse into the labor-intensive process. The exhibit also features a Scoville Putnam stereograph camera from around 1880 and a converted 3D daguerreotype of a children’s portrait from the 1850s, underscoring the emotional weight of early photography in an era of high childhood mortality. Designed in part by Colleen Walpert, who appeared on a previous NYSA episode, the exhibit uses handheld stereoscopes to bring the cards to life, making it a must-see for stereo enthusiasts.

A Celebration of Stereoscopic Culture

The episode wrapped up with gratitude to the contributors—Joe Pedoto, Jim Harp, Paul Hutchkins, Herb Winer, and Stereodoro Jaces—and the crew for their work in creating this stereoscopic spectacle. The show encouraged viewers to visit the Brooklyn and Metropolitan Museum exhibits before they close, offering a “day of stereophonic culture” for photography lovers. With a nod to the “stereo fiends” in the audience, the episode celebrated the enduring allure of 3D imagery and historical storytelling.

Companies, Products, and Software Mentioned

Brooklyn Film Camera: https://brooklynfilmcamera.com/
Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/
3D World Viewers: No official website available; referenced as a product modified by Matt Infante.
Yashica-D Camera: No official website; a vintage camera model mentioned in the exhibit.
StereoPhoto Maker: http://stereo.jpn.org/eng/stphmkr/
Topaz Enhancement: https://www.topazlabs.com/
Reykjavik Maritime Museum: https://www.reykjavikmaritimemuseum.is/

Free event
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Internet Archive
300 Funston Ave. San Francisco, CA
Union Pacific Railroad and Civil War photographer Andrew J. Russell captured hundreds of rare and beautiful stereo (3-D) photographs of the American west. The Golden Gate Stereoscopic Society presents selections of his remarkable work, based on high resolution glass plate scans curated by the Oakland Museum of California and restored by our members for exhibition.

PSA 3D Division Non-Star Competition
This is intended to be a learning experience. Beginners are especially encouraged to enter.
Entries are open only to PSA Members who have not earned a PSA Star Rating in 3D, and who have never previously won a medal at a PSA 3D Division Non-Star Competition. Closing date: Monday, August 4, 2025.