3D Representation
Bildkultur der Zukunft, 3. Semester, FHWS, Fakultät Gestaltung, WS 2014/2015
Pepper‘s Ghost
Pepper‘s Ghost
In the past the Pepper‘s Ghost illusion was very commonly used in theaters
Pepper‘s Ghost is an illusion technique used in theatre, haunted houses, dark rides and magic tricks.
It is named after John Henry Pepper, a scientist who popularized the effect in a famed demonstration
in 1862. It has a long history, dating into the 16th century, and remains widely performed today.
An audience views a stage or room with various objects in it.
On command, ghostly objects appear to fade in or out of existence in the room, or objects
in the room magically transform into different objects.
Nowdays it is also used in concerts to let virtual characters appear on stage.
An optical illusion that generates a holografic image of an object on a transparent medium. The viewer can not see the real object. The illusion is visible as long as the light of a lamp
shines on the object. When the light is dimmed down the partly transparent virtual object seems to fade away.
today it is used in television video and concerts as well for
example at Vocaloid concerts in Japan and the United States
to project the image of virtual idol Hatsune Miku and
other Vocaloid characters.
Pepper‘s Ghost
holography today
Pepper‘s Ghost apps generate four images of each side of an object, which will appear as a
three dimensional hologram inside of a reflecting pyramid.
This is also used for advertisment for example on expos
Pepper‘s Ghost
Concerts
Madonna performing live with Gorillaz
At the 2006 Grammy Awards, the Pepper‘s ghost technique was used to project Madonna with the virtual members of the band Gorillaz onto the stage in a „live“ performance. This type of system consists of a projector (usually DLP) or LED screen, with a resolution of 1280×1024 or higher and brightness of at least 5,000 lumens, a high-definition video player, a stretched film between the audience and
the acting area, a 3D set/ drawing that encloses three sides, plus lighting, audio, and show control.
During Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg‘s performance at the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a projection of deceased rapper Tupac Shakur appeared and performed „Hail Mary“ and „2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted“. The use of this approach
was repeated in 2013 at west coast Rock the Bells dates, featuring projections of Eazy-E and Ol‘ Dirty Bastard.
Dozent: Markus Kaiser Bildkultur der Zukunft, 3. Semester, FHWS, Fakult채t Gestaltung, WS 2014/2015