1977

In the spring of 2017, Greg Lundgren came across a vintage kaleidoscope at a Georgetown swap meet. Maybe a part of him was starved for art that brought genuine happiness and a sense of magic into his life, but he bought the 40 - year old toy and shared it with everyone he crossed paths with.

He was a little embarrassed by his growing obsession with this ‘hippie art’ and knew it didn’t fit neatly within the world of contemporary art, but he carried on anyways.  He bought costume jewelry at Goodwill and vibrant sheets of art glass at Northwest Art Glass and faceted cut glass jewels off the internet. He chopped it up, mixed it up and experimented with what a few mirrors and a little sunshine could create.  

After a year of experimenting, Lundgren’s kaleidoscopes were producing rich imagery that far eclipsed this first antique. He started creating object chambers to make more intentional designs and photographing the vibrant patterns they made. Soon he stopped looking at kaleidoscopes as a toy, and more of a tool to make complex patterns. 

In the fall of 2018, he started sending kaleidoscope fabric samples to Gucci and Givinchy and other fashion designers who he thought would be excited about the process and potential of kaleidoscope driven patterns. So far no one has written back, but through a collaboration with local designer Jordan Christianson, Lundgren commissioned his first satin kaleidoscope dresses. When people say no, it just means you are supposed to do it yourself.

This exploration is far from over, but Lundgren wanted to share his kaleidoscopes and the journey that this little toy inspired. 

Please join us on Thursday, May 9thfrom 5:00 to 9:00 to witness a little magic, a little joy and the opportunity to make your own kaleidoscopic patterns.