Skip to main content

Cinelabyrinth: The Pavilion of Forking Paths

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Interactive Storytelling (ICIDS 2017)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 10690))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

An important and technologically innovative interactive cinema experience, Cinelabyrinth was a large-scale architectural pavilion built in the form of maze-like interconnecting screening rooms, affording its visitors a navigable, yet carefully structured, narrative environment. It was created in 1990 for the Osaka World Expo and was one of the last major projects of Radúz Činčera, whose most well-known work was the Kinoautomat of 1967. Despite the originality of Cinelabyrinth and the individual role it offered its users—audience members could physically navigate the branching structure without depending on any majority decision—the project has left little imprint on the academic literature. An analysis of the Cinelabyrinth’s design and function is presented so as to enable interactive filmmakers now benefitting from digital technology to better understand the potential of large-scale multiscreen non-linear narratives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Available from http://www.twinery.org.

References

  1. Psarra, S.: Architecture and Narrative: The Formation of Space and Cultural Meaning. Routledge, Abingdon (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Carpentier, N.: Media and Participation: A Site of Ideological-Democratic Struggle. Intellect, Bristol/Chicago (2011)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Hales, C.: Spatial and narrative constructions for interactive cinema, with particular reference to the work of Radúz Činčera. In: Hales, C., Kelomees, R. (eds.) Expanding Practices in Audiovisual Narrative, pp. 143–170. Cambridge Scholars, Newcastle (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bielicky, M.: Prague – A place of illusionists. In: Weibel, P., Shaw, J. (eds.) Future Cinema, the Cinematic Imaginary after Film, pp. 96–100. MIT Press, Cambridge/London (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bright, S.: Peter Gabriel – An Authorised Biography. Sidgewick & Jackson, London (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Naimark, M.: Interval trip report on world’s first interactive filmmaker, Prague (1998). http://www.naimark.net/writing/trips/praguetrip.html

  7. Hornbeck, L.J.: From cathode rays to digital micromirrors: A history of electronic projection display technology. Texas Instrum. Tech. J. (special DLP issue) 15(3), 7–46 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Činčera, R.: Kinoautomat. The historically undoubtfully first interactive multimedia programme implemented at EXPO 1967 in Montreal in 1967. Unpublished manuscript (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Japan Gas Association: Poster for Cinelabyrinth (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Naimark, M.: Interactive art – Maybe it’s a bad idea. In: Leopoldseder, H., Schopf, C. (eds.) Cyberarts, International Compendium Prix Ars Electronica, pp. 28–33. Springer Press, Vienna (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Carpenter, L.: Cinematrix, Video imaging method and apparatus for audience participation. U.S. Patents 5210604 (1993) and 5365266 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Huhtamo, E.: Seeking deeper contact: interactive art as metacommentary. Convergence 1(2), 81–104 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Eco, U.: Il Nome Della Rosa. Bompiani, Milan (1980)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chris Hales .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Appendix

Appendix

The show spaces of Cinelabyrinth as described in the leaflet handed out to visitors:

  1. 1.

    Castle & Park: A world of harmony – full of elaborate tapestries.

  2. 2A.

    Jungle: A wild world of animals – all made of beautiful glasswork.

  3. 2B.

    Snowfield: An open space of pure, white snow.

  4. 3A.

    Castle Hall: A large and mystifying hall of mirrors.

  5. 3B.

    The Universe: The eternity of space.

  6. 3C.

    Festival of Flowers: A brilliant fete of flowers.

  7. 4A.

    World of The Year 3000: He world of the future – made only of metal.

  8. 4B.

    World of Crabs: The watery world of the sea.

  9. 4C.

    Historical Prague: A simulation of that city in its glorious age of culture and art.

  10. 4D.

    Astronomical Clock: A Gothic-style grandfather clock.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Hales, C. (2017). Cinelabyrinth: The Pavilion of Forking Paths. In: Nunes, N., Oakley, I., Nisi, V. (eds) Interactive Storytelling. ICIDS 2017. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 10690. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71027-3_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71027-3_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71026-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71027-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics