This is fun! A mirror that only shows your reflection whilst you scream at it. I like how it encourages screaming, about how its an insubordinate object but in a way that requires your cooperation.
I emailed the artist, Michail Rybakov, to ask how it works. Shortly after I clicked send I worked out for myself (switchable privacy film) but I’ll copy the exchange here.
Hey Mags!
Really cool hearing from you! I like the mirrors a lot, but haven’t done the step of commercializing them properly..
The mirrors were made mostly for museums and exhibition spaces, right now only three are left.
The price is 850€
If that’s too much, the best way for you to proceed is to buy some PDLC foil from alibaba or aliexpress, and glue it on top of a mirror, and then code up some switch for microphone input to switch the PDLC power on and off (you’ll need a 40V power source to run it). When power is on - the mirror is reflective, when off - the mirror does not reflect. But that’s quite a lot of work to source it all - I worked with a factory to get the PDLC between mirror and a glass sheet, so as a design object that works really well.
Did you find me through gradient.horse or via some other channel?
Best,
Michail
> On 16. Mar 2026, at 20:44, Mags ****************************** wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I would quite like one, if they are not too expensive ;)) Otherwise I am curious to know how to make one!
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Mags
>
> (they/them)
>
> mags.omg.lol
>I want to try and put a little one into a makeup compact mirror, but I’m not sure how easy to cut the switchable privacy film is. Hmmm…. I don’t think I have the funds this month. Not this early.
Yay art!