Palais de Tokyo
In its early days, the diorama invented by Louis Daguerre was a large semi-transparent canvas behind which natural or artifical lights would create atmospheric effects. Performing the illusion of motion and change, the duration of the diorama anticipated the invention of cinema. However, today, the diorama is better known as an entertaining pedagogical tool in museums of natural history. Recreating a three-dimensional scene frozen in time and space, the diorama is usually enclosed in a display case, composed of a painted backdrop, props and figures. The viewer is invited to believe in the authenticity of the artificial scenery as an early form of virtual reality.
Palais de Tokyo
13, avenue du Président Wilson
75116 Paris
More informations here.