Dreamland aflame in the Cosmorama of the Great Dreamland Fire. Photograph by Brad Paris
The newest piece of the Great Coney Island Spectacularium, the Cosmorama of the Great Dreamland Fire, is a 360 degree immersive spectacle in the style of the mighty cycloramas of the 19th Century. Following its premiere on the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Dreamland–one of Coney Island’s three great parks–which burned to the ground on May 27, 1911, the Cosmorama has been a raging success and is consequently being held over by popular demand.
Installing the Cosmorama
A project like this is an ambitious undertaking however, and we are fast learning why cosmoramas were often financial failures. 19th century panoramas and cosmoramas cost a lot to produce–a fact the producers often bragged about–and were financed by equally hefty admission prices. We at The Great Coney Island Spectacularium have a different model, and are committed to keeping the ticket price low.
Cosmorama Sketch, Aaron Beebe, 2011
So. Where does this leave us? Seriously underbudget. But guess what? You can help.
If you are like us, you never imagined you might have the opportunity to walk back in time to experience an immersive spectacle of the sort popular before cinema. We are working very hard to give you that chance. If you think this project is interesting and important, then we would love your help in making it happen. Simply click the donation button above and make a tax-deductible donation to Coney Island USA for any amount of your choosing. We will thank you with our undying gratitude.
