Spetalaser is a mesmerizing fusion of art and engineering, Thijs Rijkers’ graduation piece breathes life into light itself. This intricate machine—a symphony of mechanics and optics—creates analog holograms through the phenomenon of persistence of vision. By carefully reflecting laser light off precisely positioned mirrors, the machine creates floating images that seem to exist somewhere between real and illusion

Each movement of light and reflection adds to the next, creating an illusion that only exists while in motion—something a still image could never capture. This machine is more than just a device; it tells a story using light, forming shapes that constantly shift and change. As you watch the glowing patterns appear and disappear, it becomes hard to tell what’s real and what’s just an illusion.