'viewfinder' is a large periscope-like sculpture that reflects the ocean below

australian artist joel adler has created a site specific periscope-like sculpture that reflects a previously unseen view of the ocean below. originally built for sculpture by the sea bondi 2019, the artwork is now permanently installed at lighthouse reserve in sydney’s coastal suburb of vaucluse.

image by henrique fanti

viewfinder is composed of a 200kg mirror cantilevered by 6 tonnes of concrete and steel. the structure reflects both light and sound to create a mesmerizing display of the crashing waves that are directly below. to create the large-scale sculpture, joel adler drew inspiration from historic naval interfaces and the human-nature interaction.

following viewfinder’s debut at sculpture by the sea bondi 2019, the work migrated to lighthouse reserve, on permanent loan to woollahra council. this new site provides an immense viewpoint of the reflected rock cliff line and crashing water. due to the added height and wind loading of the new location, an additional 3 tonnes of ballast material was required. the inside of the base now contains approximately one cubic meter of solid steel as ballast.

project info:

name: viewfinder
artist: joel adler