"Chromoscope" Mauritius Itzinger. Photo (c) Lea Fabienne. 2025

Chromoscope

Chromoscope is inspired by the idea that the sky, acting as a constant atmospheric filter, shapes the sunlight and so significantly affects the perception of colour on Earth. Lost in the stress of everyday life, it is easy to forget how deeply the sky and its ever-changing colours affect our emotional state and cognitive awareness.

Without having to look through it, the sight of the telescope invites you to examine the sky to see whether it is worth looking through the telescope at all. When actually used, the Telescope becomes an instrument for recognising truths of nature that are not visible to the naked eye. It reveals a physical narrative of the past and future of our universe. At the same time, looking skywards encourages us to dream, to lose ourselves and let our thoughts wander freely.

Chromoscope plays with this constant, subconscious influence of colours coming from above. Using a special arrangement of linear and circular polarisation filters, light is separated into its components. Without having to use the telescope, the colours of the filtered light constantly change—much like the mood of the sky shifts unconsciously. Only through interaction—by turning the lens of the projector— visitors are invited to actively influence the filtered colour.

Fact Box

Chromoscope