The subject of kaleidoscopes is associated in many minds with childhood toys, constructed of mirrors in a configuration which generates a periodic replication, through the action of reflection symmetry operations only, resulting mostly in kinematic 2-D ordered mosaics. The toy is with us about 200 years and the meaning of kaleidoscope is seeing a beautiful form (Greek).
Observed conceptually, the kaleidoscope is a derivative of a consuming optic-geometric-mathematical problem.
The kaleidoscopes are solved to replicate a specifically designed motif-form in a finite-spherical or two-or three-vectorial expansion to infinity, of either toroidal or hyperbolic patterns.
Usually these space units comply with the definition of Elementary Periodic Region (E.P.R). The number of such kaleidoscopes is mathematically exhaustible. Less familiar are the ‘complex kaleidoscopes’, consisting of an arbitrary number of E.P.R units.
Their number is, of course. infinite and their exhaustive enumeration is a matter ot complex mathematıcal combinatorics.
The kaleidoscopes represent a critically important aspect and chapter in the science and morphology of space: of symmetry groups in the 2-D and 3-D space, with a direct generic relation to crystallography and morphology of the matter world; the plain and the hidden world of crystals, on its atomic and molecular levels.
more...
– It should play an important role in the built and the urban architectural environment, immersed as it is in glass and mirror cladding and partition solutions, resulting from the prevalent technology and the design spirit of our times.
The kaleidoscopes and the whole issue of periodic replication are not established yet as a coveted knowledge domain, which could promote objectives of architectural design, although some inkling of the ‘potential’ already penetrates and becomes visible through the architectural environment. Designers and architects are still mostly unaware and ignorant of the potential of this topic to
inspire creative treatment of the urban habitat.
– Ihe magic of the kaleidoscope Is in representıng that evasıve boundary between the real and the virtual world; a domain of many paradoxes and visual deceptions; a challenging world imbued with mystery, illusion and profound questions regarding the nature and the structure of the space we live in.
Kaleidospaces are kaleidoscopes realized on a building scale, solved to accommodate the visitors. In the Kaleidospaces an exciting transformation takes place, replacing the intellectual perception with an intense artistic-sensual experience.
Their phenomenology and conceptuality and the associative means of creative and expressive design perceptions are not yet understood and developed, which poses a crippling effect on any effort to communicate and discuss the issue.
A special attention should be given to what I suggest calling-“kaleido-choreography’-in which all the participants and their random or orchestrated movement ‘generates periodic kinematics choreography, characterized by an exciting fusion of the arbitrary and the totally ordered and highly symmetrical movement regime.
Less...
