Kaleidoscopes

In the spring of 2001, I lectured on "Random Numbers and Computer Art" at UCSD. For the lecture, I programmed a Kaleidoscope simulation to illustrate a metaphor about the relationship of disorder and order in computer art. In the process I became fascinated with Kaleidoscopes, and the recent resurgence in Kaleidoscope artistry.

I read a few books on the subject (the best ones are by Cozy Baker), and learned about the Brewster Society, which she started.

I visited an amazing collection of scopes in Fullerton at the Eileen Kremen Gallery, purchased a few, and began learning a little bit about stained glass, so I could construct my own scopes.

I also started programming kaleidoscope simulations in various languages, including Java, C++ and Flash actionscript.

I have collected a few of these screensavers, and a lot more kaleidoscopic goodness at my website KrazyDad.Com

I am probably the first person to create a computer simulation of a specific real-world kaleidoscope. My Charles Bush Kaleidoscope employs photos of the glassworks of a real 19th century kaleidoscope.

A few years ago, I created my website krazydad.com expressly for the purpose of selling a shareware kaleidoscope screensaver called Metascope. The website has greatly evolved since then, and it is now my principal website & blog. I no longer sell shareware, choosing instead to "give everything away". One of the more popular toys on krazydad.com allows you to convert your photos to kaleidoscopic images.

Several years ago, I lectured about Kaleidoscopes at the GEL conference in New York City.