Light ricochets back and forth between two reflective surfaces to create patterns across the faces of these mirrors by Eindhoven-based Studio Atùppertù (+ slideshow).

Gionata Gatto of Studio Atùppertù was commissioned by Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo (MAXXI) in Rome to create the circular Perspectives mirrors for an exhibition of work by Italian designers who studied in Eindhoven.

He created two designs that combine different mirrored elements, which sandwich light bulbs and reflect the glow back and forth.

In both cases, an LED light source is mounted on a brass and stainless steel fixture between a layer of reflective glass and a sheet of one-way mirror.

"I wanted to work on a collection mainly based on the joint use of four materials, which finally became brass, stainless steel and two different type of glass: mirrored and reflective," Gatto said.

When the lights are turned on, the tinted one-way mirrors become partially transparent so they reflect the illuminated bulb and reveal the reflections on the surfaces.

"I thought that the light, bouncing between the different materials would produce an interesting combination of reflection effects, possibly amplified by the slightly yellowish shade of the one-way mirrors," said Gatto.

One design comprises a base of three slightly angled sectors that converge towards the centre. These tilted pieces cause the reflected patterns to dissipate to three vanishing points on the front surface.

The other mirror features flat surfaces, causing the light reflections to dissipate in one direction – determined by the angle it is viewed from.

When the lights are off, the pieces act as conventional mirrors.

Both designs measure one metre in diameter, with a smaller version due for release later this summer. Further developments to the collection will be announced in September.

The Design Destinations exhibition at the MAXXI continues until 21 September.