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P J - f K T j O N f l XContinued from Page 9photoboard in an exhibition entitled Photo Board Walk.The Coney Island Hysterical Society, a group of artists influenced by the aura of the amusement park, brought the exhibit onto the boardwalk this year, to remind boardwalk stollers that the past is not the past and history can be plucked from its place, and, with minor variations be brought into the present. Photoboards, an age old idea once prevalent at amusement parks and circuses have slowly disappeared. Perhaps the same silliness that made fun houses and spook houses a one time success gave rise to the success and eventual demise of people sticking their faces through a hole in cardboard figurines and adopting for a moment the character of a cowboy or gorilla.The return of the photoboards to the boardwalk, a project initiated by co-founder of the Coney Island Hysterical Society Philomena Marano, was small scale this year with approximately 20 photoboards on display, (the display shrunk considerably when high winds began to wreak havoc with the figures). Nonetheless, the four that remained on the boardwalk all Sunday afternoon drew a sizeable crowd. A replica ofthe Mona Lisa lured an endless stream of people over to put their face in hers and adopt the secret smile and coy eyes. Once the ice was broken and the first man decided to try his skills at mimicking Mona, there was really no stopping them and elderly and youthful alike lined up with big giggles and poised their lips appropriately.Marano, viewing the small display, envisioned Photo-board Walk of the future as stretching from 12 St. down to the Parachute Jump. %u201cI imagine the whole boardwalk full of photoboards,%u201d she says smitten with the idea, %u201cand everyone taking pictures!%u201d Certainly if the success of the four boards up this weekend is any gauge for what a larger exhibit would inspire, the dying art of photoboards may be dramatically resurrected.To get to Coney Island take the B, D, F, M, N or QB to Stillwell Avenue/Coney Island. Walk out of the station and the amusement piers are at your feet. For more information on the Coney Island Hysterical Society call 718-768-3064. Or, to become a member, send a $5 check or money order to The Coney Island Hysterical Society, 299 14th Street,Brooklyn 11215.The sights and sounds of Coney Islandhave changed over the years, but this pastweekend, the Coney Island HystericalSociety tried to recapture some of thenoted playground%u2019s nostalgic past. In between sticking noses through a photoboardConey Island goers are treated daily to therickety ride of the Cyclone, or the moretam e twirls of the kiddie rides. In additionto the rides or games of skill, Coney Islandis still as much a spectator sport as always,as can be seen by the throngs on theboardwalk. Photos By Liz KochAugust 28, 1986, THE PHOENIX, Pago 11

