In 2010 Fotonow CIC founders, Jonathan Blyth and Matthew Pontin, were working with communities to build camera obscuras, soon after the idea of a mobile vehicle emerged in the shape of a Foster and Day coach-built 1986 VW T25 camper van. Initially Camper Obscura was used for a residency, supported by Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership, to engage as many different people across Devonport as possible.
Fotonow's Camper Obscura
Camper Obscura is a mobile camera obscura in a VW camper van, built with a lens donated by Derek Swindley. Managed by Fotonow CIC the Camper Obscura travels around the country, entertaining the public with a unique visual perspective on the world. The vehicle is an ongoing outreach project for Fotonow, which aims to encourage a better understanding of photographic and community arts practice. Camper often appears in schools to deliver photography workshops and heads off to community events such as festivals and fairs.
Status
Private/HireStyle
MobileRegion
EnglandMaker
FotonowCity
Plymouth
Thanks to a lens provided by obscura enthusiast Derek Swindley, who passed away in 2012, Camper Obscura has continued to offer visual experiences to members of the public who hop aboard the creative mobile project.
After more than 20,000 visitors in 2015 the company decided to invest into a refresh, with a new interior and radio-controlled turret the impact of the work.
