The Gift
about
In this rolling-entry experience, participants gather in a music-filled reading room, where they encounter an all-ages illustrated book—based on the astrophysics research of Dr. Natalie Gosnell—that invites responses both tactile and emotional. This book tells the story of two stars that are so close to one another yet so far from us that they appear as a single point of light in the sky. Their fates are intertwined; one star, at the end of its life, transfers its material to the companion, allowing the companion to burn brighter and to appear—for a moment—younger, brighter, bluer. This tender story and playful experience heeds the call of anthropologist Emily Martin, to “wake the sleeping metaphors of science.”
Visit thegift.space to learn more.
credits
The Gift is created by Janani Balasubramanian, Dr. Natalie Gosnell, and Dr. Andrew Kircher
With Tina-Hanaé Miller, Amy Myers
And: Katie Hodge, Solomon Hoffman
The Book:
Story by Janani Balasubramanian and Dr. Natalie Gosnell
with artwork by Amy Myers
and book design by Katie Hodge
Based on the research of Dr. Natalie Gosnell
The Music:
Original score by Tina-Hanaé Miller
with arrangement by Solomon Hoffman
featuring performances by Molly Aronson, Ellie Kirk, Aaron Kisslinger, Kevin Kuh, Bill Todd, and Cameron West
Mixed by Peter Geiser
Mastered by Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone
Produced by Dr. Andrew Kircher
dates
Mt. Wilson Observatory (Fall 2025, exact dates TBD)
ASU MIX Center (Spring 2025, dates TBD)
LA Music Center (Early 2025, dates TBD)
Stanford Memorial Church (small installation May 1st-June 15th, 2024)
Stanford Memorial Church (large installation- May 1st, 2024- 6-8 PM)
Djerassi Art Center in Woodside, CA (July 2023)
Fine Arts Center of Colorado Springs (March – June 2023)
New York Public Library (December 2022)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (December 2021)
funders
The Gift was created with the generous support of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Public Theater, New York Community Trust, the Sundance Institute, the Guild of Future Architects, MAP Fund, Stanford University, Brooklyn College, Creativity & Innovation at Colorado College, The University of Colorado, and The Tow Foundation.
The Gift was developed in part in the Collider, an R&D lab for the performing arts at Lincoln Center. The Collider is generously supported by founding partner Diana Chen. Major support for the Collider is provided by: The Ford Foundation and The Mellon Foundation.
touring
This work is currently touring. Reach out to discuss bringing The Gift to your community.