Kaleidoscope Sculptures
My work with kaleidoscopic images has led me to develop
these 'Kaleidoscope Sculptures'. I have been experimenting
with mirror cutting techniques for a number of years, and
have always wanted to make these pieces, and I am thrilled
to be developing them now. I use a special mirror called
'front surface mirror'. Basically the reflective surface is
on top of the glass, whereas a regular mirror has the
reflective surface beneath a layer of glass.
So, with this special mirror we don't get any refraction of
the light. Remember science class when you put a pencil
into a flask of water, and it seems to shift the pencil?
Well light traveling through the glass on top of a mirror
will do that too. So you see, kaleidoscopes look quite
lovely when the light gets to bounce off the mirrored
surface uninterrupted!
I plan out the project very carefully before I make any
cuts, then I do all my cutting just using my hand and a
glass cutter. I tried lots of different methods, but the
best results were by holding my breath, and cutting by
hand! So I remove mirror, construct the remaining mirror
accordingly, then layer tiny pieces into the gaps,
resulting in the effects you see below.
Most people are rather skeptical when I tell them that the
image they are seeing is mostly reflections, and that there
really isn't a glass sphere or solid piece in there. Then
they ask me how I get it to float in mid- air,,, and that's
when I know I did my job well! These are optical illusions,
no smoke and two mirrors.
Fibonaccian Spheres. The spheres are set in Fibonaccian
ratio: 2, 3, and 5. This is part of my series studying
water, and what it does at various stages, here we see
droplets having just split.
'Water Pedestal'. My study of a drop of water rebounding.
'Tear Drop' This is the water as it drips. (My
interpretation)
Exterior of 'Fibonaccian Spheres'. $1900
Exterior of 'Teardrop' $1900
Exterior of 'Water Pedestal'. $1900
