This is a work in progress.
Messages from Space is an immersive science fiction experience set in 2084. Governance has shifted to the Celestial Council, a group of planets orbiting near the Second Sun. Capitalism has dissolved, replaced by a system of mutual aid, agelessness, and abundance that spans the galaxy. Travelers drift between worlds, communicating through mysterious transmissions. These are the Messages from Space.
Imagine a field of glowing, planetary orbs floating above you, each one pulsing with an unseen cosmic rhythm. These cosmic eggs capture real cosmic rays —high-energy particles from space (a real thing, not science fiction!)— and translates them into an evolving, generated soundscape.
The result is an unpredictable, meditative audio experience, where Space itself becomes an invisible composer. Lying beneath them, you hear the universe whisper in tones that are ethereal, textured, and deeply immersive. It’s a piece about connection, inviting us to rethink Earth’s place in the cosmos.
Inside each cosmic egg is an apparatus specifically and scientifically designed for this purpose. It captures gamma rays using a design similar to a Geiger counter. The cosmic eggs detect gamma rays and respond with lights, whispers, and ASMR-like sounds, revealing mysterious “messages” from the universe.
Update March 12, 2025: It’s working!
Inspired by the Overview Effect, the profound shift of perspective astronauts experience when viewing Earth from space, the installation challenges participants to move beyond borders and divisions. What might the universe teach us about our shared existence when seen from this perspective? These reimagined geographies, combined with the cosmic messages, invite us to reconsider how we live, divide, and connect.
Messages from Space is the evolution of my 2011 piece, Radiation Orchestra, which featured four radiation collectors triggering sounds and light in response to cosmic rays. The concept traces back to 2010, when I brought my first Radiation Collector to Burning Man, sparking a deeper exploration of how unseen cosmic forces interact with our environment.
Messages from Space reminds us that science is a collaborative pursuit, benefiting us all.
Team:
Sophi Kravitz, Oliver Tanner, and friends TBD!
DETECTING GAMMA RAYS Source: Nasa
Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths and the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. They are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black holes. On Earth, gamma waves are generated by nuclear explosions, lightning, and the less dramatic activity of radioactive decay.