BOXED DIORAMAS (Shadowboxes)

By Mark McGinnis - May 2004

I. Shadow boxes offer an opportunity to display a figure or figures and create a mood by capturing the scene within six different planes. The mood can be created through exposure to at least three of the five senses – Sight, Sound and Smell

II. The mood is created with some or all of the following:

A. Lighting: The time of day can be created by the degree of and brightness of lighting depending on if the scene is set inside, outside or both.

B. Sound: Soft sounds can be added using small speakers placed in the box.

C. Smell: In some cases, odor can create part of the mood the viewer has when they observe the display. For example old buildings and furniture can give off an aroma due to the stains and chemicals used in the materials they are made of. This odor can be reproduced in the box by using similar stains etc.

III. Boxed Dioramas or Shadowboxes have four basic parts

A. The figure(s)

B. The scene (backdrops, trees, buildings, walls, groundwork etc.)

C. Lighting

D. The box

IV. Additional Parts can include

A. Sound systems

B. Odors

V. Discussion

A. Materials

B. Box Construction

C. Interior Construction

D. Wiring

E. Sound

REFERENCES

1. Shepherd Payne HOW TO BUILD DIORAMAS Kalamach Books 1980

2. Ray Anderson THE ART OF THE DIORAMA Kalmbach Books 1988

3. Roy Porter ROY PORTER'S MODEL BUILDING MASTERCLASS Window and Greene Publishing 1997

4. Elisie Burch Donald THE FRECH FARMHOUSE Abbeville Publishers 1995

Mark McGinnis