Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective is a must-see, even for those who don’t normally enjoy art museums. The exhibition is at Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, through September 21, 2025.
The art includes blown glass, lampworking (a form of glasswork in which a torch is used to melt and shape glass), mixed-media sculptures, and triptychs (art divided into three sections.) But the star of the show, for many visitors, is the lenticular work, where the image changes depending on where you’re standing.
To truly experience the lenticular work you need to see it in person and watch the image transform as you shift your perspective, but this video will give you an idea of what’s in store:
There are several ways to view this exhibition for free (keep reading!)
This touring exhibition of the work by internationally renowned artists and brothers, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, is an explosion of color, light, and texture. The de la Torre brothers are of the “more is more” school, so the pieces are packed with symbols, humor and surprises.
You can get engrossed in a single piece for an extended period of time, scanning it from corner to corner, picking out all the elements, including famous people making cameos, and then trying to unpack it all and find the meaning in it.
What makes this exhibition perfect for anyone, of any age, is that you can just enjoy the fun, brightness and playfulness of the art, or you can look deeper and see the connections.
The de la Torre brothers were born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to California as children. Their work explores the heart (and you’ll see anatomically depicted hearts throughout) and culture of both places, and the relationship between the places. They also draw on global influences, including Hindu spirituality.
Collidoscope is a fusion of the words “collide” and “kaleidoscope” and it’s the perfect name for this exhibit. North and south of the border collide in a single piece, as do the past and present.
Chances to see Collidoscope for Free
There are several chances to see Collidoscope for free.
Wednesday Night Live
Every Wednesday, from 5 to 9 p.m., it’s free to visit The Mint Museum, as well as the Bechtler and the Gantt Center. Wednesday Night Live often also includes free performances or workshops as well.
Museums on Us
The first full weekend of every month Bank of America customers can visit several museums for free, including The Mint Museum.
You can see Collidoscope during the Museums on Us weekends on August 2 and 3, and September 6 and 7, 2025.
Blue Star Museums
Through the Blue Star Museum program, active duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) and their families can visit several museums in Charlotte, including Mint Museum, for free. The active duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program. Learn more about Blue Star Museums.
Community Day
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Mint Museum is hosting a FREE Collidoscope Community Day from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy the exhibition, as well as activities, art-making, music, dancing and more.
Charlotte Art Museums, Galleries and Events — a calendar
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