Recycled Exhibits

 

At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, we are committed to sustainability and to making continuous improvements wherever we can. We were recently nominated for the Climate Action Award at the prestigious Thistle Awards, celebrating our ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental impact.

 

Did you know that many of our long-standing exhibits have been recycled or repurposed using materials obtained from various locations around the country? Giving materials a second life is something we are proud of, and it's helped us create some truly unique exhibits!

 

 

Introducing one of our newest and one-of-a-kind exhibits: Flipdots. By placing your hand inside the box and moving it around, you can create unique patterns as the dots flip in response to your movements. 

 

This exhibit was built entirely in-house by our maintenance team. The wood panelling used in its construction was reclaimed timber from the bendy mirrors we once had at St. James Quarter. The same timber has also been used for our 'Shake Hands' and 'Light Dancer' exhibits. 

 

 

Our Mirror Maze is one of our most popular attractions. The pillars that support the maze were kindly donated to us by the science museum 'Techniquest' in Cardiff, before being assembled by our maintenance team.
 

The maze stretches an impressive 25 metres long (without getting lost!), contains 38 mirrors, and features 6,500 individually programmable LEDs, creating a dazzling and immersive experience. 

 

At the end of your visit, capture your memories at the photobooth in our shop and choose up to three hilarious effects for your photos.

 

Styled like a late 19-century carnival attraction, it perfectly fits our vibe here at Camera Obscura! This machine was rescued by our shop manager instead of going to the landfill after its first home at the beach plaza in England, giving it a brand-new life here in Edinburgh.

 

We can't forget our beloved 'Robosaur!' This impressive structure was rescued before it could end up in a landfill. We had Robosaur delivered to us in a pick-up truck from London to Edinburgh!

 

Originally used by Samsung for an advert, Robosaur especially delights our young visitors here at Camera Obscura. The illusions works by cleverly manipulating angles and perspective, making it appear as though the dinosaur's eyes are following you around the room.

 

Our 'Swap Heads' exhibit is over 45 years old! The original wood panelling and mirror have stood the test of time since the 80's. The panelling has since been painted over, and the old lighting inductor has been replaced with LED lighting. This exhibit works by sitting opposite each other and taking turns on either side of the mirror by turning the knob to brighten or dim the lights. The light cleverly creates the illusion of 'swapping heads.'

 

 

Last but not least is our Mutoscope. While we don't know the exact date this exhibit was made, we were able to rescue this historical artefact from being discarded. 

 

Mutoscopes are early motion-picture devices, invented in 1895 by W.K.L. Dickson and Herman Casler, and designed to be viewed by one person at a time. They were coin-operated and contained hundreds of image cards that created moving pictures when flipped. The model we have was estimated to have been manufactured around the 1930's. 

 

Our Mutoscope originally held 600 photocards, but it has since been replaced with a digital model. The handle was also replaced using our General Manager's meat grinder handle! Proof that objects can always find a new purpose.

 

 

Alongside these exhibits, many others across our attraction have been recycled or creatively repurposed. It goes to show how giving materials a second life can still result in experiences that our visitors love!