In a profound meditation on observation and value, artist James Tapscott has unveiled his striking light installation, The Beholder. Installed at the Olbrich Botanic Garden, Madison, WI, as part of the GLEAM 2025 event, the artwork challenges viewers to pause and rediscover the minute details of the world around them, transforming the seemingly ordinary into a celestial spectacle.
The Beholder is composed of approximately 1200 bulbs, each a clear polyurethane resin casting embedded with hand-picked flora samples. The individual pieces, ranging from 10mm to 45mm in diameter, were cast from the shapes of domestic and automotive light bulbs. The natural optics of these bulb shapes are intentionally designed to enhance the act of looking, working much like a magnifying glass to bring the botanical inclusions into sharp focus.
Tapscott’s creation is fundamentally about “looking, studying, observing and ascribing value to an object through this act”. The samples—collected from the artist’s garden and local forest—reflect a time of deep personal reflection. The conceptual art project originated during the isolation of the Covid-era lockdowns, when the artist’s perception “turned inward,” leading him to see even common weeds as something beautiful and special through the new routine of collecting and observing.
The installation’s overall effect is that of a galaxy-like form, a suspended canopy of glittering, organic specimens. It employs fiber optic cables and light engines to illuminate the resin-encased plants, creating a mesmerizing, glowing constellation against the night sky. This immersive experience encourages a shift in scale, urging the viewer to first take in the expansive, celestial whole before focusing in on the detail of the individual, magnified plant samples.
For Tapscott, the labor-intensive casting process itself became a productive and welcome routine during the pandemic, although the majority of the bulbs were completed in the years that followed. This dedication highlights the artist’s fascination with how we observe nature on every scale—from microscopic details to the stars themselves.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Tapscott’s The Beholder serves as a poignant reminder of the sense of discovery and wonder that can be found in our immediate environment. This stunning blend of sculpture, technology, and nature urges us to be more aware of the simple, vital act of looking, making this a truly relevant piece of contemporary design.