About

Spectroscope is a Bristol based organisation with an international practice in creating mesmerising otherworldly artworks. We believe in shining a light on lost histories and hidden communities. Our storytelling is emotive, taboo breaking and uplifting.

Spectroscope also presents visions of what is to come, immersing audiences within dreamscapes that explore what our future world may look and feel like. 

Spectroscopy is a process that enables us to literally read rainbows and understand the universe.

We collaborate with a network of deaf, disabled, neurodivergent artists, performers and digital wizards internationally. We work with diverse professionals at every level of the organisation from administration to design to technical delivery .

Spectroscopes reveal the composition of things that are unknown and untouchable.

Spectroscope was founded by Cathy Mager an award winning deaf curator and artist. Cathy has a fascination with magic lanterns and light projection. She founded Spectroscope having been inspired by the long-forgotten travelling illusionists of the 1800s that assembled mechanical contraptions to project panoramic images of far off lands in music halls and theatres. These machines were called aetherscopes, phantoscopes and spectroscopes and often used dangerous gun powder fired special effects to wow audiences.

Our clients and partners