Located along the Potomac River in the city of Alexandria, Virginia an open circled public installation will draw visitors into its immersive and interactive display. Michael Szivos, the founder of SOFTlab design studio, took inspiration from local lighthouses to create a 25ft in diameter and 8ft high public installation. The New York-based design studio uses color and light to create Mirror Mirror. According to Szivos "Mirror Mirror will act as a beacon, beckoning visitors to venture into the new King Street Park at the Waterfront, interact with the artwork and explore and enjoy the new public plaza and civic space."

Mirror Mirror will be the first commissioned art piece for Alexandria's Site/See: New Views in Old Town initiative. The annual series is set to display temporary installations that promote visitor attraction and foster public interaction within Alexandria's rich waterfront views. Through the use of light reflection and refraction, Mirror Mirror's mirrored clad surface reflects its surrounding environment. The lenses used to construct the piece were referenced and inspired by the original lenses (Fresnel lens) used in Alexandria's historic Jones Point Lighthouse. The Fresnel lens creates a light source through a series of prisms that concentrate the light source which directs into a narrow beam projected outward.

"Through a panoramic array of mirrors and sound-responsive lights we hope Mirror Mirror will visually blend the waterfront, the fabric of Old Town, and the activity of pedestrians in the new park," explains Szivos. What makes the installation even more captivating is its interior and exterior mirrored surfaces. The exterior presents a monochromatic mirror display which reflects the surrounding environment while the interior showcases a tinted mirror surface. The tint presents a full-color spectrum that adds an alluring level of vibrancy and intrigue. Incorporating an added layer of technical design Szivos and his team have programmed the installation to respond to sound with LED light fixtures. This feature allows visitors to interact with the piece using their voices and bodies to alter the appearance of the piece.

Mirror Mirror is another SOFTlab creation that blends the boundaries of architectural techniques, interactive design, and technology. Set to be installed March of this year, the installation will remain in the park until November 2019. Indeed a vision, the project pays homage to Alexandria's historical waterfront all while creating an immersive experience for individuals to enjoy.