Diorama with a Twist

A diorama is defined as being "a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures, either in miniature or as a large-scale museum exhibit." since elementary school I have made numerous dioramas for different classes but with this project, it was nice to add the element of including a circuit and a working LED light. 


As for the subject of my diorama, I decided to do a scene from the first Harry Potter book focusing on the Mirror of Erised. The Mirror is actually a magical object that has the ability to show someone their deepest desire. Each person sees something different in the mirror- Harry Potter sees himself happily with the parents he never knew, Ronald Weasley sees himself as Head Boy and Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, while Professor Dumbledore sees himself holding a pair of socks. 

Learning what one wants or desires is an important part of a person's development. Having desire is not necessarily a bad thing but there is line between desire and greed. Too much desire can be dangerous dangerous and can make someone lose themselves to obtain what they want most. Rowling uses the dark lord Voldemort as such an example. In his desire for power and eternal life, he ultimately gives up his own humanity and any good in himself. The Mirror of Erised serves as an important plot device that help's teach Harry, and the reader, the difference between such desires. 

Something particularly interesting about Rowling's creation of the mirror is the the inscription on the top of it. Though at first is seems indecipherable, it is actually mirror writing, symbolizing how everything is a mirror reflection is flipped. Read reversed, it says I show not your face but your heart's desire. 

Because this is such an important object in the Harry Potter series, it was important to emphasize that in the making of the diorama.  I made it so that when the door is opened, the light positioned under the mirror will light up the mirror and emphasize the importance of this one object in the room. There is much more to it than meets the eye.