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Late 1980s Prism Kaleidoscopes Brass Teleidoscope by Grannis & Lazarowski (Box)
About the Item
An exceptional late 1970s solid brass studio teleidoscope titled "Light Machine," handcrafted by renowned Vermont design duo Timothy Grannis & Jack Lazarowski for Prism Kaleidoscopes. Complete with its rare original presentation box and promotional artist brochure. Signed © PRISM DESIGN '88 , on edge on brass.
Unlike a standard kaleidoscope with internal loose glass, this piece functions as an open-ended teleidoscope. It replaces traditional loose objects with a fine optical front lens and precision first-surface mirrors, transforming whatever room or object you point it at into a crisp, dynamic geometric pattern.
Executed in a sleek, architectural solid brass rectangular casing detailed with fine crosshatched grid work. Designed without external ornament to celebrate raw metallic forms and precision optical components.
Artist Pedigree (Prism Kaleidoscopes):
Timothy Grannis: Sculptor and jeweler (BFA, University of Vermont); recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Vermont Council on the Arts.
Jack Lazarowski: Industrial designer (BFA, Rhode Island School of Design / RISD); former designer for the Boston Children's Museum and Dartmouth College.
Creators / Designers: Timothy Grannis & Jack Lazarowski (Prism Kaleidoscopes)
Their "Light Machine" teleidoscopes were famously featured in Scientific American magazine (December 1985) in a multi-page article on optical art pioneers.
Author Jearl Walker praised Grannis & Lazarowski's flared mirror "Light Machines" as his favorite design, calling the 3D optical illusion "stunning".
Title / Model: "Light Machine" Teleidoscope
Period: Late 1970 / 1980s
Country of Origin: United States (Vermont)
Materials: Solid Brass, First-Surface Mirrors, Optical Lens
Inclusions: Original Presentation Box & Studio Brochure Included
by Jearl Walker
December, 1985
My other prized kaleidoscope is produced by Timothy Grannis and Jack Lazarowski of Prism Design in Essex Junction, Vt. A lens at the far end compresses the external scene. The mirrors form equilateral triangles at both ends. The novel feature is that the mirrors flare toward the viewer, so that the triangle at the far end is smaller than the one at the near end.
Figure 6: A two-mirror array
The resulting array of reflected images is stunning. They are not spread out on a plane passing through the direct view as in other kaleidoscopes. Instead they form a geodesic sphere composed of triangular sections. The illusion that the array is curved in three dimensions is startling. The illusion is enhanced by thin, bright threads that seem to project radially outward from the sphere into a bright, featureless background. When I point the kaleidoscope at a street scene or an active television screen, the sphere bursts into frenzied motion, each section on the sphere showing something different.
- Dimensions:Height: 1.63 in (4.15 cm)Width: 14.19 in (36.05 cm)Depth: 1.88 in (4.78 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1988
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition. Natural, rich warm patina to the solid brass casing. Optics are clear and mirrors are intact. Accompanied by the original grey presentation box and the original illustrated studio brochure. Age cracks to rubber, bumpers.
- Seller Location:St. Louis, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU820251187832
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