The Circle of Palms plaza in Downtown San Jose has gained a striking new centerpiece. Artist Brooke Einbender’s Gaiascope installation has taken its place there, with three suspended kaleidoscope sculptures on view from May 22 through August 18, 2026.
Each six-foot structure hangs from steel cables and carries a laser-cut steel skin. Intricate cutouts let shifting LED light spill outward in changing colors while mirrored chambers inside project video art that moves from microscopic natural details to sweeping landscapes.
Interactive pedestals stand ready for visitors. People can adjust lighting sequences, pick different colors, choose video segments, and even change playback speeds. The setup turns the sculptures into responsive experiences rather than static objects.
San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs commissioned the work as part of its public art programming for major events this year. The location at 124 S. Market Street sits right beside the San Jose Museum of Art, placing the installation in a high-traffic spot where daily foot traffic and evening gatherings already happen.
This kind of hands-on light and video piece adds another layer to how people engage with public space in Downtown San Jose. It rewards curiosity and is very on-brand for "Silicon Valley" art.
