A Sky Walk in London’s Hyde Park



Earlier this year, Cloud Appreciation Society founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney was asked to go on a ‘sky walk’ in London’s Hyde Park by students in Product Design at the Royal College of Art. Intrigued by the sound of this, he went along and was handed a pair of strange mirror classes, created by design student Marjan van Aubel. They act like mirrors that reflect an image of the sky into your eyes as you walk around. The sensation of wearing them is rather weird. It feels a little like flying upside down.

Gavin talked to the students about the clouds that they were all enjoying through the reflections of their sky glasses. He commended Marjan on her fantastic invention. Cloudspotters will love them, but they might not catch on amongst the general public. Anyone wearing them as they walked around London would be run over by a bus within about 10 minutes. They also make you look a bit stupid.

Sky Walk 1

You can see Marjan van Aubel’s work here.
She has no plans to manufacture the sky glasses yet, but I’m sure she’s open to persuasion…

24 thoughts on “A Sky Walk in London’s Hyde Park”

  1. Verena Foxx avatar verena foxx says:

    I want a pair! You could also catch the rain as the clouds are bursting.

  2. James William Gotobed avatar Jim Gotobed says:

    Oh My God ! I saw you all walking about and thought it was the wide mouth duck mimickers annual outing, so i didnt come over for a chat. Damn !

  3. Sue Shaw says:

    I think the glasses are superb. No more neck-ache and when not in use you can chop herbs with them!

  4. Shan says:

    This is genius.

  5. Helen Robinson avatar Helen Robinson says:

    I want a pair of these glasses – fed up of getting a crick in my neck looking to the skies.

  6. William Stewart avatar Bill Stewart says:

    How about “sun glass” sky glasses to cut down on the glare?

  7. Rochelle Lewis avatar rochelle Lewis says:

    worth making these for all our members alone which would pay for their production and make wonderous presents for our friends especially those who need to chill out more. am going to try it out with improvised version…well when this thunderstorm has passed over! House too small small and lethal to try indoors…

  8. Angela says:

    Like Amy, my brother and I had great fun walking along the upstairs corridor with a mirror under our noses. Very funny watching each other step over obstacles that weren’t really there.
    Could be fun outside but does it come with a dogdoo detector?

  9. Suz Daly says:

    I used something similar in the 70`s. My geography teacher handed us all a pair. To watch the Clouds beleive it or not! :)

  10. John Cross avatar John says:

    i would definately buy a pair of these, would stop my neck hurting as i’m constantly staring at the clouds above

  11. Annette Robinson avatar Annette Robinson says:

    He should of made flip down glasses. Like mirrored sunglasses in reverse

  12. Justin says:

    I think it a marvellous invention!
    I can see myself lolling on a deck chir on my back deck, staring up at Katoomb’s graceful pageantry without straining my neck.

    Wonderful!

    The CAS needs to make some so members can buy them!

  13. Judith Wittleton avatar Judy Wittleton says:

    Tremendous possibilities! Will help distribute in Oz!

  14. Belinda Greenhalgh avatar Belinda Greenhalgh says:

    ingenius, stylish and a little dangerous. Excellent, we have spent too long looking at our feet.

  15. Kathleen M Compton avatar Kathleen Compton says:

    OMG! These absolutely have to be made available through the Cloud Appreciation Society. Would they catch on? Of course! Fabulous work Marjan!

  16. Paul Record avatar Paul says:

    Brilliant – saves the neck ache.

    If the glasses were made semi-reflective then you may have chance of not be run-over.

  17. Dave Gorman avatar Dave Gorman says:

    This look fantastic! Please can I have one (somehow!)

  18. David Shelton avatar Dave says:

    Those glasses are super! I would buy some if the CASoc made them available. They would be a wonderful addition (flag ship even) to a set of CA products. Everyone does mugs – but these! What super gifts for my various nephews and nieces.

  19. Amy Vozar avatar Amy Vozar says:

    One of my favorite entertainments as a child and with my children was to walk around the house with a mirror under our noses, “Walking on the Ceiling”. Never thought of going outdoors though! I’ll have to try it. What happens when the sun comes into view?

  20. Jamie Shea says:

    Love these! Want one! :)

  21. Leonard Swift avatar Fundulatus says:

    To “Head in the Clouds” she’s added “Eyes in the Clouds”.

  22. I don’t think it will catch on really. I can’t see myself walking about with one and I think I might need a guide dog!

  23. I’m definitely willing to test drive these :)

  24. Annie Morgan avatar annie morgan says:

    An optician’s delight – if you didn’t have a squint before using it, you surely might develop one very quickly afterward.

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