Discuss: Celestial Spheres

Not a pun on Antartica…but this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!  What a genius stroke of
inspiration and observation!  The ancient
adage of “As above, So Below” is one of the
most multimeaning observations ever.  To recreate a constellation on a white background to reflect back to the constellation itself…is such an intelligent way to honor the sky/earth
relationship. 
it gives a shiver down the back at the same time it warms the heart.  Thank you Lita Albuquerque for your vision and work…
Georgeann Johnson

I was working as support staff at McMurdo Station while Lita Albuquerque installed and performed the Celestial Spheres.  At the time, it felt tedious.  We were working 60-hour weeks supporting scientific research - how was walking a spiral around blue spheres worth the NSF’s time and funding?  Shouldn’t climatology or seal research come first?  But we gathered, and we went out.  The evening was clear, bright, and warm, in the 30’s.  Mount Erebus was coughing its usual cloud.  We huddled in the center, waiting. 

When the helicopter arrived, filming from above, we started to walk.  Beside us were stars, the first we had seen, symbolically or otherwise, in months.  Some were as large as my boots.  Sirius came to my waist.  As we all found the outside ring, spacing ourselves apart from one another, the helicopter soared high, taking its noise with it.  We were left with each other, the stars, and the crisp air of a summer evening.  Then we all fell down and started making snow angels.

Afterwards, we were able to play.  We touched the stars, took pictures, someone brought out a pink workout ball from the gym and we played celestial kickball.  Then we drove back to station to continue supporting scientific research.

Thank you for taking the time to cover this amazing piece of artwork and of our planet.