Greetings Mr. Bradbury,

I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine who's method of storytelling has been profoundly influenced by yours. His name is Randall J. Regier and he is the head of the American Dream Technical Institute. His role as the institute's "Acting Interim Director" is exemplified through his account of how he uncovered a lost race-car that was entombed for over 60 years within the walls of an old factory-mill on the coast of Maine.

Here is a video portrait of Mr. Regier-
http://vimeo.com/13139255

Here is Mr. Regier's ode to your short 1949 story "Kaleidoscope"-
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hp...916961_2342950_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hp...916962_2201143_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hp...916963_2031645_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hp...916965_3699921_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hp...916966_1432124_n.jpg

Mr. Regier's Statement-

Ray Bradbury's 1949 story Kaleidoscope begins:

"The first concussion cut the rocket up the side with a giant can opener. The men were thrown into space like a dozen wriggling silverfish."

The bulk of the story takes place in roughly an hour as the ejected crew of twelve men spin off in different trajectories toward their imminent deaths - the Sun, the Moon, re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and one man into a passing meteorite shower. All they have left in their lives is radio contact via their headsets, and roughly one hour of connection to come clean with one another about their lives and relationships. And they attempt to do so - there is anger, terror, accusations, philosophical musings and grief. But as they approach their individual ends and loss of contact with each other a desire for peace and forgiveness creeps into their last words and goodbyes.

Hollis is the last man we are with, he is alone and plummeting toward Earth, these are his final thoughts:

"But there's no one here but myself, and how can you do good all alone? You can't. Tomorrow night I'll hit Earth's atmosphere...When I hit the atmosphere, I'll burn like a meteor. I wonder...if anyone will see me?"

The small boy on the country road looked up and screamed. "Look Mom, look! A falling star!"The blazing white star fell down the sky of dusk in Illinois."Make a wish," said his mother. "Make a wish."

This piece is called Silverfish. Mixed media, steel, plexiglass, cast-plastic, and aluminum, automotive basecoat-clearcoat finish, decals are inkjet on paper. Dimensions: 39" L x 10" H x 14" W.
Box and contents, cast-plastic, cardboard, clear acrylic and inkjet print on paper. Dimensions 24" W x 14" H x 3" D.


Thank you for sharing your superb talent,

--Erik

P.S. Happy Birthday!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Erik Almstead,

This work has hints of "To the Chicago Abyss" in it. We must remember the stories and things or they will be forever lost...thus have never been!

Nice!

Wow! Beautiful piece!

The more I look at these images the more I am impressed. The spacemen are special. This is so lovely.

And might I add that Kaleidoscope is my all-time favorite short story.

From memory, I believe the late screenwriter Dan O'Bannon also once confessed that the ending of John Carpenter's debut feature "Dark Star," that he co-wrote with Carpenter, was inspired by "Kaleidoscope."

Very cool video, Erik. Kudos to Mr. Regier.