Adventures in Kaleidoscopy
Hello, my name is Merlin and I have travelled a long and forky road to arrive at this peaceful point in my life. I have journeyed many years as a musician, a market research associate, and most recently a medical reporting specialist. I am currently pursuing a quiet, creative life in the rejuvenating salt air on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.
I invite you to explore my kaleidoscopic experiments, which you may find to be intriguing, otherworldly, and sometimes oddly humorous, and if you look closely you may discover a few hidden surprises. They are mandala-like in basic form with the center expanding outwards and/or the periphery leading inwards. I find myself imaging expansive worlds and infinite possibilities within these geometric constructs.
These artworks are intentionally crafted to be smaller in scale, encouraging the viewer to approach closer and explore. As you draw closer, your perception transforms from obscure face-like shapes and abstracted nature to reflections composed of photographic elements.
All my kaleidoscopic works are designed using multi-axial symmetry, but many will contain subtle elements that break that symmetry, create narrative, or make an unfortunate visual pun.
Go ahead, venture forth and have a visual adventure in my world of kaleidographic mandalas.
This piece, titled Ball - Z, has vibrant color and I laughed at the final result, (the artist's feet are in the photo). Click the image and use the magnifier to explore the artwork. The central lower ball contains the title cipher.
All my works contain an integrated title cipher. Because they are ciphers, they may take some time to (pause for it)... decipher, so I hope you enjoy a little mystery or a moment of perplexity regarding what the title may refer to; sometimes the location, sometimes the aforementioned unfortunate visual puns.
None of theses works have been created with AI technology, all are hand-crafted.
Luster originated from a small bin of copper rings at a quaint tourist stop on Highway 84 in Montana, the $50,000 Silver Dollar Inn.
"Luster" is meaningful, as humanity does tend to "lust" after shiny objects.
The high contrast values are dramatic, the vertical symmetry creates a rhythm of dark and light, and the monochromatic palette is rich, homey and comforting.
"Geranium nimbus," I place in my "Intrinsic" world. The source photograph was of a wild geranium I found growing through a fence along a river in my neighborhood.
The straight edge of the fence creates a perfect frame for the saturated foliage and intense purple of the central bloom or corolla.
"Hawaiian Surf," originates from a photograph my granddaughter took while vacationing in Hawaii. I took some time to play with the scale in this work. The rocks imaged here are perhaps 2 feet across; however, I imagined a world of craggy rocks and crashing waves with a figure carefully stepping along a ridge in a sparkling landscape.
The title cipher presented here is more evident, reminiscent of a Japanese seal or chop mark.
Rubus argutus is the botanical name for the common blackberry. The pronounced concentric circles within squares are prominent in this artwork. Click on the image to uncover the title cipher concealed in the foliage.
All of these works contain an integrated title cipher somewhere within the work. Many will take time to find and then decipher as the titles are also bilaterally reflected in some manner.
I hope you appreciate, as much as I, the mysteries of the world and being smacked with awe and wonderment in a universe that is immensely deep in time and space.
XANDO-ARTCO CIPHER CHALLENGE
WIN a Signed Limited Edition print
The challenge is to find and decipher 11 cipher glyphs randomly placed on the Intrinsic and Extrinsic gallery pages. I have attempted to make this puzzle challenging and it may require some commitment to solve. Once you decipher each individual glyph, solving the anagram itself should be straightforward. You may find it helpful to copy and paste each glyph into a word or image processing program.
When you have collected all 11 glyphs, arrange them into a 3-word solution. You may be able create several valid English words, but there is only one obviously conspicuous 3-word solution. If you believe you have solved the cipher, submit your solution using the upload button below. Make sure you are correct, as only 1 submission per email is allowed.
The first correct submission received wins a 12 x 12, signed, limited-edition print of their choosing ($175.00 value, shipping included), 2 additional winners will be selected by random draw from all correct submissions.
You must be 21 years or older to play and have a shipping address in Canada or the United States.
Only the first 1000 submissions will be eligible for the random draw.
Welcome to Xando-Artco Cipher Challenge! Please use the navigation arrows for instructions on playing. Have fun and good luck!
1. Find 11 glyphs on the Intrinsic and Extrinsic gallery pages. Note: The glyphs you find will be more complex than the example provided here.
1. Find 11 glyphs on the Intrinsic and Extrinsic gallery pages. Note: The glyphs you find will be more complex than the example provided here. 2. Decipher and stack the glyphs into a 3-word solution. 3. Enter your solution using the submit button below. First correct solution submitted wins a signed, limited-edition, 12x12 print of the winners choice (shipping included, $175.00 value).
Welcome to Xando-Artco Cipher Challenge! Please use the navigation arrows for instructions on playing. Have fun and good luck!
The instructions above contain visual hints as to how the puzzle cipher was created. As well, each gallery art piece contains an integrated title cipher hinting at how the cipher could be decoded.
Good luck and have fun deciphering!
I have loosely categorized my kaleidoscopic universe into "Intrinsic" -- originating from the natural world, and "Extrinsic" -- originating from the human-built world.
My intrinsic works include many plants; flowers, cacti, various trees; as well as landscapes, seascapes, and snowscapes.
Extrinsic pieces include architectural elements, such as stairs, brick work, and glass exteriors, but also vintage vehicles and soap bubbles. This categorization is very loose as extrinsic subjects are almost always presented with elements of the natural or intrinsic world.
The name "Xando" is pronounced zan-doe, but conceived via "hugs and kisses" - thus, x-and-o. Additionally, crosses and circles (X and O shapes) are a natural result of the quadrilateral/multi-axial reflection of my kaleidoscopic process.