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Wander Minnesota: Kaleidoscopes At The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The programming and exhibition folks at the University of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum always have something fun up their sleeve.

Now they've got a new installation for your viewing—and playing—pleasure: Robert Anderson's Gardens of Kaleidoscopes.

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(credit: Amy Rea)

You see the first installation when you arrive at the Visitor Center.

What is this sculpture, anyway?

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(credit: Amy Rea)

It's got flowers and metal tubes…

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(credit: Amy Rea)

The tubes are the kaleidoscopes. Peer in, and the flowers take on an entirely new look.

You can adjust both the kaleidoscope and the planter.

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(credit: Amy Rea)

There are 15 of these kaleidoscope installations adjacent to the main buildings of the arboretum.

They're the artwork of Door County, Wisconsin, metal artist Robert Anderson.

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(credit: Amy Rea)

And they're a really fun way to change up spring flowers.

While visiting the installation, I saw people of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens, having a blast playing with them.

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(credit: Amy Rea)

The installation is in place until Sept. 25, and it will be worth making repeat visits—the arboretum will swap out the flowers in the planter on a monthly basis, providing new kaleidoscopic views.

But if you need more incentive to visit soon, look:

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(credit: Amy Rea)

Daffodils and hyacinths are already in bloom, but the great swath of tulips are just coming into season.

What else is happening in our state?

Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.

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