I am the one who gave this a 10. I love this photo and I hoped this would do better. When you stare at the centre point, everything else is spinning and twisting - it has a sense of motion. It's quite brilliant.
Didn't quite get it square, eh? Have to give you a hard time as I imagine you spent a good deal of effort in lining everything up. :-) I like the materials you used, especially the rope and square (is that cork board?). The red is splotchy...maybe black would have worked better? Just and thought. Anyway, good luck in the challenge.
*not voting as I'm in this challenge-just commenting since I've seen requests for comments in the challenge thread*
Very nice. I love the texture on texture on texture. Gives it soooo much edpth and the diamond effect created makes it very dynamic. I'm not sure how I feel about the mottled look of the BG though. does add more texture but something about it rubs me the wrong way. Otherwise wonderful capture though. Well thought out.