suggestions for stargazing
waterworks park, belfast, part of red sky at night,
curated by household belfast

Suggestions for Stargazing, commissioned by Household Belfast was part of the night time festival Red Sky at Night, which embraced the darkness by opening up city spaces to the public at night, inviting audiences to see their city in a new light. The piece was part of my long term research project called Right tothe Night. Over an 18 month period, I engaged with astronomers, writers, environmentalists, council workers and residents of Belfast to draw attention to light pollution and advocate for darker skies. 

For this trail at the Waterworks Park, in North Belfast I posed a series of questions, prompts and instructions, using signage, that encouraged people to connect to the environment of the Waterworks park, look up to the night sky, and take civic action to reduce light pollution in their own area. The work was originally only intended to be installed for the weekend of the festival but due to its popularity it remained on sitr for 6 months. I also did 2 night time park walks handing out November’s Lunar Calendar zine as part of the project.

Suggestions for Stargazing was part of Red Sky at Night for the Belfast 2024 celebrations and is generously supported by Belfast City Council. Project identify was developed by Shesaid Design. Right to the Night was originally developed as part of a BCC funded Community Takeovers project. Red Sky at Night was a night-time festival of new art commissions by international artists Zuza Goli?ska (Poland), Kanich Khajohnsri (Thailand), Kasper Lecnim & Irmina Rusicka (Poland), Dina Mimi (Palestine), Aisling O’Beirn (Ireland) and Leandros Ntolas (Greece), curated by Household. Artworks were installed at six unique locations across the city: Riddel's Warehouse (Dina Mimi), the Palm House (Kanich Khajohnsri), Carlisle Memorial Church (Leandros Ntolas) - Bank of Ireland (Zuza Goli?ska) - 2RA (Irmina Rusicka & Kasper Lecnim), and the Waterworks Park (Aisling O’Beirn). Red Sky at Night was part of the Belfast 2024 celebrations, supported by Belfast City Council, British Council, and the Mondriaan Fundation.

magine a Park, shot of sign in daylight

We Lose Sight of the Night at our Peril, stencilled neon text on steps, Waterwork Pk., Belfast, 2024 photo S. Mills

Do Trees Hold Council in the Dark?, as seen in daylight

Dawn Chorus After Dark, as seen during the daymsign,reflectivevinyl on diabond, 120 cm x 80 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast

Who Dines Here at Night,  as seen during the day, photo She said Design

Sweet Spot, sign, reflective vinyl on diabond, 250 cm x 120 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast, night photo S. Mills

Sweet Spot, as seen during the day

Missing the Night Shift, as seen during the day

Missing the Night Shift, sign, reflective vinyl on diabond, 100 cm x 120 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast, night photo S. Mills

Confused Compasses, sign, reflective vinyl on diabond, 80 cm x 80 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast, night photos S. Mills

Lights On but Nobody’s Home,  sign,reflectivevinyl on diabond, 80 cm x 100 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast, night photos S. Mills

How High is the Moon in the Sky, detailas seen during the day

How High is the Moon in the Sky, detailas seen during the day

Bring Back Dark Skies, as seen during the day

Bring Back Dark Skies, sign,reflectivevinyl on diabond, 80 cm x 100 cm, 2024, Visual identity Shesaid Design, Waterworks Pk., Belfast, night photos S. Mills

November Lunar Calendar Zine, Waterworks Park, Nov 2024