Kaleidoscade

  I love the visual effect of the kaleidoscope with it’s structured geometrical patterns based on the random movement of colored objects at the end of a tube of mirrors. The juxtaposition of order and chaos as well as the reflection and refraction of light was interesting to me and I wanted to try and recreate these effects with an electrical set-up. After doing some research, I found that one or two people had attempted something similar with individual LEDs wired together into a matrix but I wanted to use an 8 x 8 RGB matrix for higher density of lights, more color options, and more detailed patterns. One of the fascinating aspects of the kaleidoscope is that when turning the device, the colored objects move in an unpredictable way that draws you in and makes you want to keep turning and viewing the moving patterns. I wanted to make the LED pattern change when turning my device in a similar way to the original design. I also wanted the patterns to be randomly generated. The first goal was achieved by mounting a tilt sensor to my device and the second goal was achieved by using the random number generator in Arduino coding. Finally, because the LEDs were so bright, in order to maximize viewing time and comfort, I used a camera lens to focus the final image onto a paper screen. This also allows more people to enjoy the effect at once which is a slightly different take on the original kaleidoscope which is more of a solitary experience. 

Electrical components: Arduino, 8 x 8 RGB LED matrix, 4 shift registers, 16 100 ohm resistors, 8 80 ohm resistors, tilt sensor, 1 kilo ohm resistor, jumper wires

Materials used: upcycled cardboard, adhesive mirror sheets, hot glue, camera lens, paper

I scored the cardboard so that it would take an even cylindrical shape.

An inside view of the cardboard tube containing the mirrors arranged in a triangular tube with the LED matrix at the end.

My best friends in this project, the exacto knife & hot glue gun…