Within a mirrored box, framed in one of the Spacearium's dark, shining pylons, stands an assemblage of crystal geometric forms, dominated by the engraved portrait of Albert Einstein, which appears on a thin square block.
The box appears to reflect to infinity all of the forms within it -- the portrait, blocks, prisms, cubes, spheres, hemispheres; the forms, in turn, partially reflect each other. Thus the geometric forms join with and transform the portrait through simple phenomena of light and lens, as though to exemplify Einstein's words engraved on one of the crystal blocks: "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science."
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
ART-Sculpture
Medium
Sculpture, Albert Einstein
Designer
Paul Schulze
Artist
Roland Erlacher
Manufacturer
Stueben Glass Company
Photographer
Yousuf Karsh
Physical Description
Large flat square of glass with an etching of Albert Einstein's face. Piece 15.
Dimensions
3-D (Large flat square of glass with Einstein's face): 44.4 × 43.8 × 2.5cm, 14.1kg (1 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 5 1/4 in. × 1 in., 31lb.)
Inventory Number
A19810656000
Credit Line
Commissioned from Stueben Glass Company for the opening of the Albert Einstein Spacearium by the National Air and Space Museum.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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