olafur eliasson's viewing machine reveals kaleidoscopic vistas

kaleidoscopic impressions of vibrant green landscapes are revealed while looking through olafur eliasson’s ‘viewing machine’ installed at inhotim, a contemporary art center and botanical garden located in brumadinho, brazil. the 270 acre space is made up of forest fragments and gardens — with an extensive collection of rare tropical species — consisting of an international compilation of exhibition pavilions and open-air sculptures.

‘viewing machine’ is made up of six mirrors forming a hexagonal tube
(above) image courtesy of instituto inhotim © ricardo mallaco
(main) image courtesy of instituto inhotim © daniela paoliello

eliasson’s machine is set atop a high point of the museological complex, overlooking its vast natural environment. it is made up of six mirrored panels forming a hexagonal tube, which visitors are invited to maneuver towards a point of interest. peering through the conical structure, superimposed refractions from the shiny facade create a myriad of prismatic forms, reflecting the lush green vegetation and revealing the forest scape as a kaleidoscope. 

atop a hill at the contemporary art park, olafur eliasson’s artwork looks out to the lush forestscape
image courtesy of instituto inhotim © daniela paoliello 

looking through the machine, a myriad of reflective forms are revealed
image courtesy of instituto inhotim © daniela paoliello 

‘viewing machine’ overlooks the forest fragments and gardens at inhotim
image courtesy of instituto inhotim © ricardo mallaco