Hidden Mechanics
We are working with a pull-tab/in-out book that uses complex paper mechanisms, including rotating discs and hidden levers. These 19th-century publications function as analog animations, where a single movement can activate the entire scene.
Our goal is to reconstruct these mechanisms in 3D. One of the objects, Den Kindern zu Lust and Freuden aus allen Jahreszeiten: ein Bilderbuch mit Verwandlungen by Friedrich Carl Hösch, is preserved in very good condition, meaning the internal mechanisms remain hidden within closed pages. To avoid any risk of damage, we chose a non-invasive approach.
Instead of opening the book, we illuminated the page from behind using LED light. This backlighting revealed the hidden layers and structures, producing an effect similar to an X-ray of the paper.
In another case, Lustiges Automaten-Theater by Lothar Meggendorfer, the situation was different. Several pages, originally constructed from two layers of paper, had naturally separated over time. We received them in an “open” state, which made it possible to directly observe the mechanism inside.
Based on this, we created a video showing how the mechanism operates. The hidden elements move at exactly the same pace as the figures in the illustration, showing how the parts are connected and influence each other.
Author: Natalia Sucharek
