Mesmerising sculpture heading to Geelong CBD

A 70-TONNE, 700 square-metre open-air art structure will encourage viewers to see the world in a different light when it takes residency at Geelong’s Johnstone Park Forecourt.

Renowned artist Keith Courtney’s ‘Kaleidoscope’, a structure made of glass, mirrors, steel and moving prisms, will be open for viewing on May 13 to June 18.

Kaleidoscope features a dazzling white mirror maze during the day, and colourful light reflections from the surrounding environment at night, encouraging the viewer to see their surroundings differently.

Mr Courtney said the work facilitated a sense of serenity, joy in viewers.

“I imagined the work almost like a cathedral-style experience,” he said.

“I’ve actually designed it so that just like a kaleidoscope changes infinitely, my Kaleidoscope will keep on changing and keep on evolving.

“It’s the first time that one of my major works has had a showing in the town that it was built. It’s just a really wonderful opportunity.

“I’d just like people to lose themselves for half an hour, get lost in my Kaleidoscope”

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said council was thrilled to welcome Keith Courtney and Kaleidoscope back to the region.

“Whether it’s during the day or at night, Kaleidoscope is absolutely breathtaking and has been wowing audiences around the world,” he said.

“Rug up and come to central Geelong for an unmissable exhibition where you can get lost in a maze of mirrors and see the world in a different light.”

The idea of a giant kaleidoscope came to Mr Courtney during the COVID-19 pandemic, to create something that brings joy to participants.

The multi-sensory and immersive work were manufactured in South Geelong by Courtney’s fabricator Robert Lange Engineering and glazier Menzel Glass.

Following Kaleidoscope’s stint in Geelong, the installation will travel to Bathurst in NSW, Queensland’s Gold Coast and Auckland in New Zealand.

Tickets can be found on Council’s website from April 10.