Project Overview
Scattering Surface is a double-sided, immersive installation by Alyson Shotz, composed of an array of mirror-polished stainless steel discs mounted in an irregular pattern across a vertical framework. Designed to capture and scatter light in all directions, the piece creates a constantly shifting visual field that responds to the movement of viewers and surrounding conditions. The underlying structure consists of five vertical beams, braced together by horizontal stainless steel rectangular tubes placed at 12-inch intervals. These braces form the mounting grid for the mirrored discs, which vary in size and orientation, giving the surface its dynamic and organic quality. One of the most technically demanding aspects of the project was the engineering of the tab connections between the discs. These tabs had to be precisely designed to remain hidden from view, maintaining the seamless aesthetic of floating reflections while still providing enough structural support for assembly, disassembly, and long-term installation stability. Achieving this balance required extensive prototyping and careful planning to bring Shotz’s vision of light, structure, and perception into reality.
Clients
- Alyson Shotz
- Derek Eller Gallery
- Hermann Park