On request, an image of the 3-dimentional mandelbulb print I held in my hands on "The Mandelbulb Sect" [link]
This is a HDR-snapshot, I am not so satisfied with the result, was going to take a better photo before posting here, but, until I take a better one...
This is a HDR-snapshot, I am not so satisfied with the result, was going to take a better photo before posting here, but, until I take a better one...

:origin()/pre00/b69c/th/pre/i/2010/120/4/8/hdr_3d_mandelbulb_by_mandelwerk.jpg)
Hope you like it!
You found this "old" photo of my 3D print, cool!
Then there is this version which you make and it will in turn make the parts to make another machine you can give away. [link]
Thank you very much for the links Debra!
Basically using a 3d scene one would create a big sphere with HDR image mapped as a texture on the sphere and putting the object inside.
It would be similar to the set-up of your photo.
With GI we have light from the object itself.
HDR and GI can work together.
Nice idea, I like this cold mandlbulb.