[May 17 – Aug 18] Star Catcher by Adelle Lin and Matt Pinner

Star Catcher is an immersive installation that encourages participants to engage with their environment in a playful and imaginative manner. Using projection and magical objects, the installation creates a simulated night sky that is brimming with an ethereal constellation of stars that participants can catch. Blurring the line between audience and performer, they become symbolically connected to the power of imagination and the wonder of the universe.

Harvestworks Art and Technology Program Building 10a, Nolan Park, Governors Island

Artist Opening Saturday May 18, 2024 from 2 – 4:30 pm with a performance by Mónica de la Torre and Hans Tammen at 2:30 pm.

Open to the public 11 am to 5 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Star Catcher explores themes of extraction and collective care, through the metaphor of capturing and releasing stars. This piece invites audiences to reflect on the impact of joint actions on the ecology of a fictional world, emphasizing the consequences of resource exploitation in space. “Star Catcher” encourages collaborative engagement among the audience through collective movement and actions.

Combining responsive projection, virtual reality, interactive lighting sculpture, generative soundscapes, and voiceover narration, Star Catcher creates an engaging journey where audiences become protagonists. The audience is led through an interactive narrative premise and taught to catch stars with interactive celestial nets. The piece underscores the urgent issues of our planet’s dwindling resources, the risks of the space race, and the potential dystopian future from relentless resource extraction in the universe. Star Catcher is accessible to adults, children, and individuals with disabilities.

The artwork resonates with Carl Sagan’s iconic words about our interconnectedness: ‘The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.’ This theme invites audiences to consider the world they wish to shape, emphasizing collective stewardship of our planet and the universe.

• BIOS

Adelle Lin Yingxi is a Malaysian artist, activist, and creative technologist based in Brooklyn. Their art seeks to heal and connect through joy and contemplation, aiming to advocate for women’s rights, champion climate justice, and bridge divides. Adelle holds a master’s degree in art and engineering from NYU Tandon. They recently completed NEW INC, the New Museum’s art incubator program and other residencies including One of Many “Wadi Rum” in Jordan and Harvestworks “Creativity + Technology = Enterprise” in NYC. With a foundation in architecture and engineering, Adelle crafts magical objects, performance rituals, and interactive installations that merge the tangible with the digital. They have received grants and support from Meta Open Arts, Onassis ONX, and PlayNYC. Their artworks were recently featured in group shows at FiveMyles, Ed.Varie Gallery, and ChangWon Sculpture Biennale. They have also performed live calligraphy rituals at One of Many and Work In Progress events and have appeared on Al Jazeera’s The Stream for activism work within virtual worlds.

Matt Pinner is a dynamic artist and creative technologist originally from Colorado, now based in Brooklyn, NY. With a background in software engineering and a passion for sculpture and physics, he creates immersive, interactive lighting sculptures and volumetric installations that engage and connect people in timeless, limitless experiential spaces. Holding a degree in Math and Astrophysics from the Colorado School of Mines, Matt has had impactful roles such as Head of Architecture and Technical Director for projects like The Illuminated River Project and Intel’s Robot Dance Party. Deeply involved in the Creative Technology community, he leads global projects, creates fashion technology, collaborates on projects like Crashspacela and SPARK FUN. He also worked with artists such as DJ Qbert and Lady Gaga at events like the Grammys and CES. Matt’s recent work focuses on interactive sculptures that foster discussions about the future of technology, positioning him at the forefront of novel interactions between art and technology.