Mirrors and reflections are intriguing artistic instruments that not only show reality but also provoke introspection and contemplation. From the gleaming surfaces of mirrored artworks to the subtle movement of light and shadow in reflective photography, artists have long been captivated by these components' transformational ability. In this article, we'll go on a journey across the world of art, exploring techniques, inspirations, and novel approaches to integrate mirrors and reflections into artistic practice. Whether you're an artist looking for new insights or a hobbyist looking to explore new creative pathways, join us as we reveal the secrets of using mirrors and reflections to produce appealing and thought-provoking artwork.
Lotus, Studio Roosegaarde
Figure 1. Studio Roosegaarde. (n.d.). Lotus. Studio Roosegaarde. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://studioroosegaarde.net/project/lotus
The first artwork we'll look at is LOTUS, a series created by Studio Roosegaarde that is inspired by nature and distinguished by its dynamic interaction of light and material. LOTUS consists of intelligent flowers that unfurl in reaction to light, drawing inspiration from the natural world. This installation unfolds dynamically, generating a captivating interplay of light and motion. LOTUS OCULUS, reminiscent of the magestic Pantheon, embodies an organic architecture of movement and shadows that Daan Roosegaarde refers to as 'Techno-Poetry.' LOTUS Maffei, displayed in Palazzo Maffei alongside other notable artworks, interacts to light in a specifically constructed exhibit for the Veronese museum. The historic Sainte Marie Madeleine Church in Lille, France, hosted the inauguration of LOTUS DOME, a living dome made up of smart flowers. Since 2010, this ongoing research of smart surfaces has represented a synthesis of nature and technology, embodying the search for harmony between people and the environment in contemporary design.
Mirror Paintings, Gerhard Richter
Figure 2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.). Mirror, Blood Red. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/816065
The second artwork we are going to mention is Mirror Paintings by Gerhard Richter. Throughout Western art history, from the Renaissance to the modernist era, the mirror has been an important tool for self-reflection, both symbolically and literally. During the 1960s, the mirror took on a new purpose in the setting of American Minimalist sculpture, causing a surge in perceptual self-awareness. Gerhard Richter, used reverse-pigmented mirrors to question the dominant trends in avant-garde monochromatic art while simultaneously providing a counterpoint to the emotive, colorful nature of his own works. Richter defined these colorful mirrors as a cross between a monochrome painting and a reflected surface, representing a state of "Neither/Nor" that he found intriguing.
Your Spiral View, Olafur Eliasson
Figure 3. Studio Olafur Eliasson. (n.d.). Your spiral view (2002). Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://olafureliasson.net/artwork/your-spiral-view-2002/
The third artwork worth mentioning is “Your Spiral View” by Olafur Eliasson. Your Spiral View is an eight-meter-long installation made up of steel plates placed in two sets of spirals that coil in opposite directions. Upon entering the installation, viewers are immersed in a kaleidoscopic experience in which fragmented reflections of the location they just left and the vista ahead merge. The reflections heighten the impression of movement, which is accentuated by the structure's jagged walls. Whether it is located in a field of lava at the Palacio de Cristal in Madrid or serves as the entry to the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, the tunnel allows visitors to transfer from the outside world into the immersive domain of art. The other artworks of Olafur Eliasson are also worth mentioning. “Frost Activity” is one of these works. In this piece, Eliasson cleverly placed a mirror on the ceiling, reflecting the gorgeous stone floor below. The floor, made of Icelandic volcanic rocks such as dolerite, rhyolite, blue, and black basalt, pays respect to Eliasson's childhood experiences in Iceland, which have often served as a source of inspiration for his work. Frost Activity, like his Weather Project at Tate Modern, allowed guests to see their own reflections in the large ceiling mirror. Eliasson commonly uses mirrors in his work, allowing spectators to interact with their own image as they encounter his work. Through Frost Activity, Eliasson manipulates our perspective once more, presenting a dual image of the surroundings: the people close, the gallery's white walls, and the exquisite stone floor, all doubled in the reflective surface above.
Beach Portraits, Rienke Dijkstra
Figure 4. Artnet. (n.d.). Rineke Dijkstra. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://www.artnet.com/artists/rineke-dijkstra/
The third artist we are going to talk about is Rineke Dijkstra, a Dutch photographer renowned for her portraits. Rineke Dijkstra's photography has a distinct style that distinguishes her from many other current artists. Her images, which are often compared to paintings in terms of composition and depth, give subjects a strong sense of presence and authenticity. Dijkstra, who was born in the Netherlands in 1959, creates art that transcends geography and features subjects from many backgrounds. Rineke Dijkstra has explored the theme of reflection in her series "Beach Portraits." Dijkstra's images depict moments of self-reflection and contemplation in her subjects. The photographs show people in varying degrees of vulnerability and self-awareness, frequently staring directly at the camera. This stare might be viewed as a sort of contemplation in which the participants confront their own image and possibly consider their identity and place in the world. Furthermore, the use of mirrors and reflections is figurative in Dijkstra's portraits, which capture and reflect her subjects' feelings and experiences, giving viewers a glimpse into their inner worlds.
As we move through these various artistic representations, we are reminded of the transformational power of mirrors and reflections, which not only disclose outward realities but also encourage us to delve into the depths of our inner reality. Whether making, observing, or participating in art, the voyage of discovery continues, propelled by the limitless possibilities that mirrors and reflections provide in the goal of understanding ourselves and the world around us.
Sources:
Artnet. (n.d.). Rineke Dijkstra. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://www.artnet.com/artists/rineke-dijkstra/
Cvetković, D. (2020, December 17). Olafur Eliasson | 7 Mesmerizing Contemporary Installations. Retrieved from https://www.thecollector.com/loafer-eliasson-contemporary-artist
Studio Roosegaarde. (n.d.). Lotus. Studio Roosegaarde. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://studioroosegaarde.net/project/lotus
Studio Olafur Eliasson. (n.d.). Your spiral view (2002). Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://olafureliasson.net/artwork/your-spiral-view-2002/
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.). Mirror, Blood Red. Retrieved May 17, 2024, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/816065
