Mirror Labyrinth NY (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- This is an interactive sculpture that Museum visitors can walk inside and around.
- The work is made from polished stainless steel and aluminum. It features 75 reflective posts that form a labyrinth, or sculptural maze. The posts mirror and distort the surrounding environment.
- Jeppe Hein is a Danish artist. He creates interactive public art installations that encourage viewers to focus on their own experience of their surroundings.
- Hein’s work is minimal in form. It often highlights connections between art, architecture, and technical innovation.
- Perception, illusion, and human impact on the environment are recurring themes in Hein’s sculptures.
Learn More
This interactive work was created in 2016 by Danish artist Jeppe Hein. He lives and works in Berlin, Germany. His sculptural maze, Mirror Labyrinth NY, is made up of 75 highly reflective posts made of stainless steel and aluminum. The posts are equally spaced apart and vary in height. They stand in three radiating arcs that form a labyrinth. Together they mirror and distort the surrounding environment.
Sometimes the posts seem to blend into the landscape. At other times they stand in bold contrast with their surroundings. The reflections on the posts disorient the viewer and challenge their perception of space. As viewers move through and around the mirrored panels, they see reflections of themselves, other visitors, and the environment.
Mirrors alter and question our perception of our surroundings and ourselves. Mirrors make us reflect on our own presence by addressing our physical and mental experience of an environment and our position within it. My mirror installations always refer to the presence of the visitor and the artwork in the space, asking the audience: Why are you here? What are you doing here? How do you observe artwork and space? How are you observed by artwork and space?
Jeppe Hein
Hein is known for creating interactive public art installations that explore human perception and illusion. They also bring attention to the impact that humans have on the environment. Hein’s sculptures encourage viewers to focus on their experience and perception of the space that surrounds them. He uses minimal forms to emphasize connections between art, architecture, and technical innovation. His work often challenges viewers’ spatial awareness (knowing where things are in the space around them).
Mirror Labyrinth NY was curated for the Museum Park in 2020, but it took two full years to complete the installation during the COVID pandemic. The installation process was delayed due to supply chain issues, staff shortages, and travel restrictions.
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Read the artist’s biography.
- Watch an interview with Hein.
- Read an article about an exhibition of the artist’s work.
Resources for Students
- Watch a video of the artist talking about one of his exhibitions.
- Read an article about another mirrored installation by the artist.
- Visit a website to view more of Hein’s art installations.
Images
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Mirror Labyrinth NY
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Mirror Labyrinth NY
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Mirror Labyrinth NY