“This kaleidoscope is a culmination of all our work. All the elements we learnt over the years have come to this piece, and of course, the ones still to come.
The unique part of the piece is the method we use to cut the mirror, and the unique angle we are able to achieve without breaking the mirrors. Typically this 60 degree angle that is cut out of the mirror would not be able to be done, similarly, the outer case has this same 60 degree cut, using the same method we use to achieve the cut on the mirrors.

Basically we can achieve a 3 dimensional image using just two mirrors.

The image is of a 3D dichroic diamond, floating in mid air, supported by nothing at all. It is viewable from several angles, and also has a magnifying lens to view the mandala straight on. The mirrors themselves are set at 36 degrees giving a perfect pentagonal symmetry to the kaleidoscopic image. The kaleidoscope is designed with the idea that one can view the interior image from across a room, as you can with a sculpture. The dichroic window at the front of the piece allows light to flow in, and reflect off the composite gold leaf on the inside. This creates spectacular images as the colors change as the angle of the light changes.

There is a lot to see in this kaleidoscope! One can appreciate each viewing opportunity independently, and get absorbed in each view, enjoying the diversity of each one.

The glass on the exterior is hand painted with paints we make in our studio. We use mica powders, and mix them with a medium, which allows us to manipulate the paint as we desire. The mandala is achieved with lamp-worked glass in the Venetian style. The cell has liquid filled ampoules that have an air bubble that moves after the pieces have stopped tumbling.”

Marc Tickle February 2007