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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