He calls it steampunk; I call it amazing.

And you have to see the video to get a sense of how it works.

The "it" I'm talking about is a new work by Southampton, NY based artist Art Donovan, and it's called "Shiva Mandala."

And oh, how it works!

In art history, the giant canvases of the academic studios were referred to as machines . . . but this turns the term around.

His basic description gets you started. The piece contains " . . . influences of Hinduism, Freemasonry and ancient astronomy. 72" tall x 72" wide. Solid Mahogany, Solid Brass, Glass, Spun-Filament Fiberglass, Plaster, LED + Incandescent Bulbs, Acrylic Resin, Ultra Violet Tubes + Electric Motors."

Donovan's other work in includes sleek, early-20th century inspired chandeliers and sconces, and his client list includes the swank, the chic, and the famous.

But it's work like the Shiva Mandala that is over the top in its concatenation of historical elements . . . of echos and references . . . that I really love. Is this piece serious? Tongue in cheek? Outright cheeky? All of the above!

For all its cultural references, the thing that Donovan has gotten down that just slays me . . . is the sense of "valuable object." This piece sends off so many signals of "valuable object" --- from materials and finishes to historical import to symbolic design to technical wizardry --- that it makes me want to post a guard on it 24 hours a day.

And at the same time, it's all just signs. Signs, signs, signs! Smart!