Magic Lantern Slide, photograph coloured by hand, England c.1890

Since 1975, Laura Minici Zotti, director of the Museum and also skilled “lanternist”, has spread the knowledge of Precinema throughout the world giving her magic lantern shows. She uses a bi-unial magic lantern of J.H. Steward of 1880 with 19th Century glass slides (8 x 8cm), animated by little mechanisms.

In December 2007, Laura Minici Zotti was awarded the Seal of the City of Padua, and in 2008 she received the prestigious international Jean Mitry prize at the Silent Film Festival of Pordenone for her constant cultural service and dissemination of the knowledge of Precinema.  In 2010 she recived the Premio Donna Eccelente for culture and recently the Premio Vittorio De Sica from the hands of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano.

Magic Lantern slide, hand-painted. England c.1860

On the 7^th November 2010 at the Teatro Verdi in Pordenone, during the 29^th Pordenone Silent Film Festival, the lanternist projected for the last time, and the lantern’s lamp was turned off to a standing ovation in which was perhaps one of her finest performances. This great achievement, however, has not convinced Laura Minici Zotti to change her mind. In her performances Laura Minici Zotti has always used original slides and magic lanterns, which would become more precarious with the passing of time.

Nonetheless, Doctor Minici Zotti  will, in particular, contribute to conferences in which demonstrations with the magic lantern are scheduled, with that very same lantern, in fact, the original “Optimus” of 1880 ca. with a Perker & Son lense and some magic lantern slides of the same period, found in an attic of her home in Venice.

For further information on the collection and demonstations, techincal specifications and prices, contact Doctor Francesco Modolo.

Some presitgious places that have hosted our Magic Lantern Shows.