Lissa Rivera

Dioramas

These dioramas are inspired by my interest in Louis-Jacques-Mandé 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. 

  • Town Fire, Diorama (Photograph)
  • lissa-rivera-3
  • lissa-rivera-2
  • lissa-rivera-5
  • lissa-rivera-4
  • lissa-rivera-1
  • View of diorama construction in studio
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  • Beautiful Boy Chapter II
  • Beautiful Boy Chapter III
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