Magic Mercantile
The Magic Mercantile is a three dimensional zoetrope located on Main Street in Louisville, Colorado. The exterior mimics the local iconic State Mercantile building. The interior contains a fun, mind-bending illusion using a 3D-printed scene on a rotating platform.
How It Works
When opened, the inside of the Magic Mercantile lights up and plays welcoming music. The viewer can press the DAY or NIGHT button. If daytime, the viewer uses their phone camera to watch the zoetrope. In “day mode” (video below) the rotating scene appears blurry to the naked eye, but looks clear and animated through a cell phone camera. If nighttime, the viewer can watch the zoetrope with their naked eyes. In “night mode” (video above) various strobing patterns are used to achieve different effects.
The zoetrope scene inside of the Magic Mercantile is customizable and interchangeable.
