TheMaréoramain the 1900 Universal Exhibition: a simulated Mediterranean voyage from the banks of the Seine

The Maréorama, a multi-sensory panorama at the 1900 Universal Exhibition, revolutionized immersive simulation by combining period-relevant artistic codes with technological innovation. This sophisticated device offered audiences a half-hour boat trip across the Mediterranean, blending elements of early cinema, prestidigitation, and Wagnerian 'total work of art' to create a highly realistic experience. The study argues that the Maréorama's success lay in its integration of traditional rotunda designs with mobile panorama effects, physical motion, and interactive spectator engagement, setting a new standard for mimetic immersion. Inspired by contemporary imaginaries like Jules Verne's novels, the Maréorama exemplified the utopian potential of overcoming time and space limitations, becoming a landmark in the evolution of panoramic technology.

Hernandez Barbosa, S. (2022). TheMaréoramain the 1900 Universal Exhibition: a simulated Mediterranean voyage from the banks of the Seine. Early Popular Visual Culture, 21(3), 348–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/17460654.2022.2146152