Kaleidoscope-o-rama Wallpaper2023

Through Kaleidoscope-o-rama, developed for the MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission 2023 and presented as part of NGV Triennial 2023, Bethan Laura Wood explores the gendered history of acquiring and sharing knowledge through the lens of a kaleidoscope in this multi-piece installation.

The Commission includes two new major works: Kaleidoscope-o-rama, Carpet and Kaleidoscope-o-rama, Bookcase, each conceived in dialogue with Regency era (c. 1811–20) works from the NGV Collection and presented among an immersive audio-visual display.

To further enhance the atmosphere of Woods Blue stocking Parlour recreated within the gallery space, a digital wallpaper has been designed to morph and rotate evoking the movement of the bookcases when in use and that of the Kaleidoscope, a tool for seeing patented in 1817 by Sir David Brewster of which Bethan has taken reference.

The Kaleidoscope can itself be viewed in multiple ways, one as a way to change our pre-set vision. Small elements that may be dismissed in the day-to-day, or when viewed alone, if given a platform and allowed to multiply can create a whole new world, landscape in which to dream or see the world a fresh.

The other as a warning, like with the internet that first seemed a landscape of endless possibilities for connection and expanding knowledge. Unchecked, it can become an echo chamber reflecting back only one small fragment of the world around you, making you blind to see this in context, or that their many ways of seeing.

The digitally animated Wallpaper was developed in collaboration with the NGV Multimedia Team (creative direction by Benjamin Ducroz, and digital animation by James Josephides).

Video courtesy of the NGV.