The Ferris Wheel 1893

This stereograph from 1893 by Henry Hamilton Bennett captures the primal allure of the Ferris wheel. The wheel, an ancient symbol of fortune and the cyclical nature of life, looms large. Its circular form echoes mandalas found in diverse spiritual traditions, from Tibetan Buddhism to indigenous art. These wheels, or cycles, are symbolic tools for navigating the cosmos, charting celestial movements and life's rhythms. Yet, the Ferris wheel transforms this ancient symbol into a modern spectacle. The psychological implications are profound, evoking the collective fascination with control and the experience of viewing the world from a new, heightened perspective. This cyclical motif is not static; it evolves, each turn adding layers of meaning, echoing through time.