Scottsdale, AZ – This November, acclaimed artist Brooke Einbender, founder of Mindbender Studio, invites visitors to explore her latest work, Gaiascope, at Canal Convergence 2024. With this year’s theme, "Reflections," Gaiascope harnesses the power of light, participation, and immersive storytelling to explore themes of nature’s magic and the hidden unity of life on Earth.
Einbender is known for pushing the boundaries of creativity by combining natural inspiration with cutting-edge technology. Her innovative work has been featured in exhibitions nationwide, including Art Basel Miami, and her Unknown Zone series recently received acclaim as a public art commission in Telluride, CO.
The Art of Reflection through Gaia’s Lens
Inspired by Gaia, the ancient goddess of the Earth, Gaiascope reimagines the kaleidoscope as a portal to explore humanity’s connection with nature and the cosmos.
As Einbender explains, “Gaia is regarded as a sacred, living entity embodying the interconnectedness of all life, fostering reverence and stewardship for the natural world. The Gaiascope invites us to see beyond the surface and tap into the infinite realms that connect us all.”
A Transformative Interactive Experience
Suspended by steel cables and adorned with laser-cut steel exteriors, each Gaiascope’s outer “skin” diffuses LED lights into dynamic, color-changing patterns. When people gaze into the three Gaiascopes, they are peering into six-foot-long mirrored chambers that display video art of Arizona’s natural wonders, from the micro to the macro. The video art reflected inside each sculpture produces fractal patterns that expand the boundaries of perception.
The installation is designed to spark curiosity and inspire active participation. Each Gaiascope has an interactive pedestal, where viewers can push buttons to alter each artwork’s lighting sequence, colors, video content, and playback speed.
In a time marked by environmental and social challenges, Gaiascope offers a compelling reminder of unity and beauty. Einbender notes,
“In our increasingly divided world, we are all connected in a luminous web of creation. The Gaiascope brings that into focus.”