By Theresa St. John
Kaleidoscopes were invented in 1816 by Scottish inventor David Brewster. He was studying several aspects of physical sciences, including polarization optics and the properties of light. Busy looking at some objects from the end of two mirrors, he noticed recreated patterns and colors, new arrangements that interested him.
Mr. Brewster named his invention after Greek and English words; Kalos – which means ‘beautiful,’ eidos – which translates as ‘form,’ and the word scope – which means ‘to look at’ in English.
As a young child, kaleidoscopes entertained me for hours. There was something about putting a long tube up to my eye, aiming it towards the light, manipulating the design with a turn of my wrist over and over again.
I didn’t care about who invented it, or why until I’d grown up – getting married, having children and an eclectic kaleidoscope collection of my own, pieces that ranged from $10 to $450.
Imagine my delight when I heard of Emerson Resort and Spa’s kaleidoscope. Not only did they have a shop filled with all sorts of this ever-changing prismatic toy, but there was also an actual kaleidoscope – large enough to earn a place in the Guinness World Book of Records, located inside the property’s 56 feet tall and 38 feet in diameter, former grain silo.
Dean Gitter, the Catskill man behind the $3 million multiplex development known as Catskill Corners – located in Mount Tremper, New York, loved kaleidoscopes too and always wanted to be included within the pages of the Guinness World Book of Records.
Both concept and design were dreamt up by award-winning kaleidoscope artist Charles Karadimos. Imagery-based videos created by Isaac Abrams and his son Raphael – a world-renown psychedelic artist and computer artist respectively, are unique, breathtaking, and a not-to-be-missed experience.
The two men constructed the 2.5-ton, 37-foot-tall pyramid of mirrors with a small triangular-shaped opening at the top, allowing video art to play on a rear-projection screen. The mirrors multiplied the single image, transforming it into a cluster of 254 facets, creating a much larger illusion seeming to measure 50 feet across.
For a mere $5.00, up to 20 visitors at a time can stand inside, gazing up into the darkness while the room comes alive with swirls of color, mesmerizing music and the magic of a childhood dream. In my case, I chose to lie on the floor. It was more comfortable for me to take photos, my Canon resting on my eye – as if it were a tri-pod.
It was quiet in the grain silo that day, perhaps because I was visiting mid-week. I decided to enjoy all three shows while I could. I didn’t regret it for a moment.
I was excited – feeling like I was five years old again as the room went dark and the doorway closed on the sounds outside. Bright, colorful images flashed overhead, appearing and disappearing with the beat of each soundtrack.
The sentiments from my long-ago childhood, those years of happy memories, remained with me long after I’d left the silo – handling several original kaleidoscopes in the shop right outside, choosing my favorite one to buy and bring home.
I watched as the Emerson Resort and Spa, the welcoming place I’d called home for the weekend, became a speck in my rearview mirror. I smiled, knowing it wouldn’t be the last time to visit this peaceful destination, sinking into the down-comforter of a dream, thankful for Mr. Gitter, the man who breathed life into my own.
All photos by Theresa St. John
