Em Viewing machine (2001), the experience and the process of public perception are among the central motivations in the creation of Olafur Eliasson's work. The piece is based on the operating principles of a kaleidoscope. Invited to handle the "seeing machine," the visitor can point it in the direction they wish and observe a point of interest through it.
The final image is the result of overlapping reflections in different positions, thanks to the angles of the internal mirrors that line the faces of the hexagonal tube. The sculpture functions as a tool that modifies our worldview, and the playful pleasure it provides is, ultimately, about perceiving oneself and one's surroundings.
Posts
![Olafur Eliasson, By Means of a Sudden Intuitive Realization, 1996, [detail], fiberglass igloo, water, strobe lighting, water pump and plastic, 300x510. Photo: William Gomes](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/inhotim_acervo_by_means_of_-sudden_intuitive_realization_olafur-705x900.jpg.webp)
![Jorge Macchi, Swimming Pool, 2009, [detail] white cement and granite mass, 12x12x1,8 m. Photo: Pedro Motta](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/inhotim_acervos_piscina_jorge_macchi-1-1-705x900.jpg.webp)
![Robert Irwin, Untitled, 2019, [detail], stainless steel, concrete, glass, 6.3x14,6. Photo: William Gomes](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/inhotim_acervos_sem_titulo_robert_irwin-1-705x900.jpg.webp)
![Rirkrit Tiravanija, Palm Pavilion, 2006-08, [exterior view], metal, wood, palm trees, various materials, varying dimensions. Photo: William Gomes](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/inhotim_acervos_palm_pavilion_rirkrit_tiravanija-2-705x900.jpg.webp)
![Valeska Soares, Folly, 2005, [interior view], video transferred to DVD, 5', wood, glass, air conditioning, soundtrack The Look of Love, 250x1110 cm. Photo: William Gomes](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/inhotim_acervos_galeria_valeska_soares_folly-1-705x900.jpg.webp)
![Marilá Dardot, The Origin of the Work of Art, 2002, [detail], 150 ceramic vases in the shape of letters, soil, seeds and gardening tools, varying dimensions. Photo: Pedro Motta](https://www.inhotim.org.br/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/inhotim_acervos_galeria_marila_dardot-2-1-705x900.jpg.webp)
