Panoramic paintings were dramatic visual spectacles that immersed viewers in 360-degree environments where they were surrounded by often-fantastic imagery. With the rise of motion pictures, panorama paintings became a quaint vestige of the 19th century, but director Sara Velas at Velaslavasay Panorama continues to champion this beautiful, lost art form.

Scholars Hexi and Charles Gravelle from the Shenyang Visual Archive engage in an “archo-historical illustrated lecture” in which they screen short films and discuss Shengjing Panorama, a new installation at the Velaslavasay that re-creates what the Chinese city of Shenyang looked like in the early 20th century.

Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W. 24th St., University Park; Mon., July 15, 7 p.m.; $8. (213) 746-2166, panoramaonview.org.

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