Frank Cascianni - Kaleidoscopes

Ostrich egg

Ostrich egg

Frank Casciani has been as 'egger" for many many years. Kaleidoscopes were incorporated into his egg art during the 1990's. Since that time, Casciani has explored the various optical properties of two and three-mirror systems.

Each egg is sterilized then coated with about 10 layers of a hardener. The eggs are surprisingly strong - not as fragile as one would think.

Pictured on left, an Ostrich egg has been cut in half. A turning mechanism has been placed in between the two halves so you can rotate the object chamber end while keeping the mirrors stationary. The equilateral three-mirror system abuts the oil filled object chamber that is bursting with color from the bead and glass within. The attention to detail does not stop there. Casciani capped the object chamber with a faceted crystal coated in dichroic. This creates wonderful color changes and geometric patterning found within the illusion. The Ostrich Egg measures 6.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches in diameter. The swiveling black acrylic base is 5.75 inches in diameter.

The Egg kaleidoscope pictured on right has been coated with hardeners to exploit the natural color of the shell. Inside, you will find a three-mirror equilateral system abutting the famed H2Orb created by David Rosenfeldt. Brimming with jewel tones, the illusion is spectacular.