Portfolio / Mirrors by David Cavaliero

For his 2013 exhibition “Half of Your Life is Behind You,” artist David Cavaliero asked us to laser engrave a series of large glass mirrors.

Cavaliero engraves text, graphics and imagery onto the reverse surface of silver mirrors. The laser was set to engrave away the coating on the back of the mirror until only the glass remained. Cavaliero creates an enclosure for each piece which allows the mirrors to be backlit, illuminating only those portions which have been engraved. Thus, the viewer must confront one’s own reflection along with–or as part of–the work, as Cavaliero explores the idea of identity and its relationship to physical and psychological location.

Final assembly and installation by the artist. Images of installed artwork courtesy of photographer Stephen Cavaliero.