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Waterlens | Optical Gadgets
Project name
Optical Gadgets
Project description
Since the dawn of humanity, we have been driven to discover.
What we perceive is never complete, never absolute. In a world where nothing is fixed and everything is in constant motion, there are endless possibilities for new discoveries.
Through a collection of optical gadgets made from glass, I aim to reveal what normally remains invisible to the human eye. These objects function as tools that invite us to observe both ourselves and our surroundings in unfamiliar ways - allowing us to rediscover and revalue what we see.
Glass has always held profound importance for humanity because of its unique ability to refract and reflect light. By observing these objects from different angles, a variety of physical phenomena emerge and become visible. This shifting perspective opens the door to new ways of seeing, and new ways of being - if you will.
Date
2018
Partner
LIS - Bio Science Park Leiden, The Netherlands
WATERLENS
This glass object is inspired by the origin of the lens and the ancient fascination with light and perception. Its shape echoes a convex lens, while the water inside refers to one of the earliest optical discoveries: that light bends and magnifies through transparent matter.
In ancient Greece, light was seen as both a scientific and philosophical mystery. Glass, crystal, and water-filled objects were used to observe distortion, reflection, and magnification. Centuries later, the Roman philosopher Seneca described how letters appeared larger through a glass sphere filled with water — an early observation of lensing.
This object bridges those early discoveries with a contemporary form. Balancing between science and poetry, it invites the viewer to look through, into, and beyond — recalling the moment humanity first realized that light itself could be shaped.
