Stephen Berkman, of Zohar Studios, creates some wonderfully quirky ‘photo’graphs and objects of interactive art. There’s a collection of ambrotypes such as the one above and a great many of them reek of Steampunk-ness. I find myself thinking – “What if?” What if Verne’s travellers had brought back a prehisoric man from the depths of the earth, and seen what ‘modern’ education could make of him? Would he, perhaps, excel in sciences (as in the image above) – be awarded a medal for valour in some battle – and finally leave behind a greiving wife and child?

As for the art objects, most of them seem to be based off camera obscura – of particular amusement to me is the camera obscura built into a headless giant lady shape – where you go under the voluminous skirts of the fake lady to view the image! How terribly naughty.

I have to say that the ambrotypes are my favourite – from scientists with aliens, to scenes of instant sadness at a strange funeral – each one is a frame of a story that my mind plays with like a toy. Great stuff. Thanks Craiger for reminding me!