After exploring stereograms in my aesthetic exploration last week, I decided to create a rendition of a stereoscope as my upcycle project. Stereoscopes are devices with which to view stereograms, and an example Holmes Stereoscope is depicted above [1].

There are several key components that compose a Holmes stereoscope. On the viewing side there are two lenses set in a faceplate and a shroud that surrounds the faceplate to fit against the user’s face and block out ambient light. A divider extends from the lenses to encourage each eye to look at the separate images, and a beam underneath the divider connects to the stereogram holder. The stereogram holder can be moved back and forth on this beam to adjust the focal length for each stereogram. Also depicted in the above image are a handle to hold the stereoscope while viewing and a stand to store it on, though I see these as less critical components.

While these stereoscopes are traditionally made of wood in smooth curves and a clean finish, they would still be functional as long as these components are present in some form. Thus, I decided to create a stereoscope with a cyberpunk aesthetic.


Finn Communicator by Luca Pascal [2]

I was inspired by Alexis Cisneros’s cyberpunk tech aesthetic post in this class last year, especially the above image reproduced here. This aesthetic uses an abundance of exposed technical components: circuit boards, wires, metal, status lights, etc., to create a rough hacked together feeling. Cyberpunk does not shy away from a use of color or lights, and tends towards asymmetry in its design. Its use of worn parts also fits well with the methodology for the upcycle project, and I generally just enjoy its appearance. To imagine what parts I might assemble into a cyberpunk stereoscope for this project, I made the rough following sketch:


Cyberpunk Stereoscope Ideas Sketch

For this stereoscope I will unfortunately need to purchase the lenses to get the precise focusing needed for viewing stereograms. However, all other components will be upcycled from industrial components, such as circuit boards, scrap sheet metal, assorted wiring, or bolts. My ideas in the above image include faceplates, shrouds, beams, stereogram holders, a circuit board divider, and other greebly details. Despite this brainstorming, the resulting object will be largely dependent on the materials I am able to find, something that feels apt for cyberpunk.

Image References:

[1] “Mona Lisa Overdrive – Finn Communicator, Luca Pascal,” ArtStation. Accessed: Jan. 29, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/2q3ywY

[2] “This Land is Your Land: Stereoscope,” This Land is Your Land. Accessed: Jan. 29, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://scalar.chapman.edu/scalar/this-land-is-your-land/stereoscope-device

4 Comments. Leave new

  • Max Van Cleave
    February 3, 2025 7:07 pm

    I think this is a really fantastic idea and something I knew nothing about. I really enjoy that your taking something with one aesthetic and transforming it to something completely different. I also thought that your hand sketches were quite impressive and Im excited to see how it turns out. I was wondering when stereoscopes were invented and what stereogram you are planning on viewing?

    • I’m glad you like my wacky idea! Stereoscopes were invented in 1832, but Oliver Wendell Holmes created this type of stereoscope in 1861 and decided not to patent it. I selected some stereograms I like in my first post (https://www.aesdes.org/2025/01/22/stereograms/), so I may just reproduce those on physical cards, though I would also like to find or make some stereograms with a cyberpunk subject matter to fit the overall aesthetic.

  • Keith Hemenway
    February 3, 2025 1:38 pm

    This is a really cool idea, and seems like it will be quite challenging to produce! I really appreciate your concise description of the project, what makes it unique, and the drawing you made to show all the components. I wonder how you plan to obtain all the components you drew, do you plan on making any of them? Given that you mentioned the importance of lights in cyberpunk, I wonder if you will incorporate them into the design, given the added complexity.

    • I did focus on describing the separate aspects of this project, so I’m glad they all came across. Obtaining all the components is definitely an influence on this project, and I’m trying to stay open to shape the design depending on what I find from various resources. If some shapes are hard to find, I may bend and cut thin sheet metal by hand into the shapes I need. I would also like to get lights into my design, and I have leftover circuit components from class projects i could use for this, but I’m planning that as secondary addition contingent on my base construction progress.

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