When was the last time you looked at the night sky? When was the last time you stood with the night and allowed the distant stars to reveal themselves to you?
I am left in awe when I allow myself time to be present with the stars and their stories.
I know, this isn't new. People have marveled at the stars as long as there have been people. What is new is that art, science, and technology invite us to experience the stars with an increased depth of understanding and wonder.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson reflected, "the atoms that make up the human body are traceable to the crucibles that cooked light elements into heavy elements in their core... so that when I look up at the night sky, I know that yes, we are part of this universe, we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us."
What if we treated each other with the same awe and wonder with which we stand in the night sky? What is we recognized the magnificence in our physical and social environments?
We Are StarDust is the current research campaign of JCWK Dance Lab. It investigates the science that our human bodies are made of the same stuff as stars. Like stars, they (we) deserve respect, awe, and wonder. In reflection of this research, this campaign has several layers.
- Performance. I am leading a small ensemble of dance artists in researching the science and mythology of several star clusters. We have performed this work over the summer in collaboration with Reading Theater Project and the Reading Public Museum. We are performing again in November in Bethlehem, PA. Click here for upcoming events and more details.
- Education. I've led mindful movement workshops around Pennsylvania inspired by this research.
- Practice. I've created a graphic and merchandise to materialize the We Are StarDust campaign. Click here to order yours and share your magnificence. Remind yourself and those in your communities of your stellar connections.
