Ann Veronica Janssens Magic Mirror (Pink), 2013-2023

Magic Mirror (Pink) consists of three layers of glass. Sandwiched between two intact panes, the central pane has been broken into thousands of sections. It is securely preserved in its fragile state, yet the pattern that is created by the shattering that appears to originate from the center of its upper edge also gives the work a sense of movement.

The iridescence is created by a dichroic polyester film between the sheets of glass. Dichroic filters allow light to pass selectively and limit its reflections to a particular small range of colors. While the foil creates a dominance of two colors, the iridescent effect creates a wider spectrum. As one moves around the work, each cracked seam reflects the light at different angles, creating variant shapes and colors.

Janssens’ work foregrounds the body’s perception of the world and itself in it. She often uses light, natural optical phenomena or glass as medium. Produced with great care, her works exude the impression of great simplicity yet create vivid experiences of the act of seeing, evoking a heightened awareness of the changeability and fleetingness of individual perceptions.