I Saw My Birth, Love, and Death in the Sky

I Saw My Birth, Love, and Death in the Sky is an interactive light art installation of projected stars in the forest in Redmond, Washington, US. Visitors passing through the fog-filled forest could glance up and find themselves immersed in a constellation of projected stars that equal the US population. Whenever a baby was born somewhere in the country, a burst of red light would appear above them. And whenever a person died, a blue star would explode and disappear into space.

Visual description of the interactive light installation in relation to the visitor in the space.

I SAW MY BIRTH, DEATH, AND LOVE IN THE SKY

I Saw My Birth, Love, and Death in the Sky is an interactive light art installation of projected stars in the forest in Redmond, Washington, US. Visitors passing through the fog-filled forest could glance up and find themselves immersed in a constellation of projected stars that equal the US population. A burst of red light would appear above them whenever a baby was born somewhere in the country. And whenever a person died, a blue star would explode and disappear into space.

The piece is a meditation on the interconnectedness of all living things, as well as the impermanence of life itself. By using light to represent the birth and death of individuals, the installation highlights the fact that we are all part of a larger whole and that our individual lives are just a tiny part of a much larger and more complex system. The piece challenges viewers to think deeply about their place in the world, as well as the ways in which they are connected to others. By using light to represent the birth, love, and death of individuals across the country, the installation offers a powerful and emotionally resonant reminder of the fragility and interconnectedness of human life.

Visitors passing under a constellation of stars representing the US population.

Visitors experiencing multiple bursts of red light, representing the birth of baby.

Blue lights appearing in the light art installation, and fading into space.

Multiple blue lights exploding in the installation and disappearing into the space.

Visitors encountering an exploding blue light, representing the death of a person.

Sound: Daniel Peterson
Exhibited: Downtown Park, Redmond, WA, USA
Year: 2018