Updated: City Celebrates the Annular Eclipse with Four Temporary Public Art Installations

Embark on an exploration of art, science, flight, and astronomy at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum’s celebration of the Annular Eclipse, during the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®. 

The Albuquerque Public Art Program and Balloon Museum partnered to commission four interactive temporary art installations that will be activated October 7-15. Drawing inspiration from ballooning, the eclipse, astronomy, science, and technology, artists were tasked with creating four captivating installations: “Laser Borealis,” “Space Messengers,” “Cosmic Prism,” and “Balloon Eclipse.” 

Immerse yourself in the laser light show “Laser Borealis” and “Sun et Lumiere” by Michigan artist Mike Gould of Illuminatus Lasers, that is synchronized to AI-generated solar weather inspired sounds provided by NOAA. Explore the universe with the multi artist interactive installation “Space Messengers,” on view the morning of October 11 and October 12-14, produced by Agnes Chavez, director of STEMarts Lab. Discover the world of spectroscopy with Chad Waples’ glowing sculpture “Cosmic Prism” and experience the essence of the eclipse event with the shifting sculpture “Balloon Eclipse” by Billy Joe Miller, Graham Parker Ansell, Nick Skekerjian, Giffen Clark Ott, and Mitch Berg.

View the activated projections during pre-dawn events and evening events. Pre-dawn events will take place October 7-15 from 5 to 7 a.m. Evening events will take place October 7, 8, and 12-14 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Please note there will be no evening events on October 9, 10, 11, and 15.

Meet the artists and interact with their installations during Balloon Museum’s S.T.E.A.M. Night on October 12 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. as well as during the Annular Eclipse on October 14 from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Museum admission and special event parking (not included) is required for all pre-dawn and evening events. 

Learn more about the Annular Eclipse Temporary Public Art Installations here.