Stargazing Suggestions

Suggestions for Stargazing was a unique, temporary exhibition created by artist Aisling O’Beirn in collaboration with Household, a collective-led organisation connecting people and place.

The exhibition aimed to raise awareness about the impact of light pollution on the night sky in urban areas. The site-specific installation took place at Belfast’s Waterworks Park and it was featured as part of the Red Sky at Night Festival in November 2024. A key feature of the exhibition was the ‘footprint of the park’ itself. We created a trail of signs spanning 2.5km, collaborating with the artist to emphasise specific areas within the park impacted by light pollution.

Our design challenge involved: visually conveying various forms of light pollution, their effects on ecosystems and habitats, suggestions for reducing light pollution and enjoying the night sky. Additionally, we faced the challenge of creating a ‘night exhibition’ without any artificial lighting, and ensuring a low-impact installation that left no trace upon deinstallation. We partnered with our exhibition company to craft bespoke signs using neon and photoluminescent materials, utilizing the existing infrastructure within the park for attachment.