Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle/ Chapter Two

This is the second chapter of Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle. This chapter was in collaboration with Everybody Arts in Halifax, and the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.

“The project Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle explores deep time, contrasting Earth’s slow evolution with the rapid changes of the Anthropocene. Gathering reflections from astronomers, biologists, geologists, and high school students, artist Louise Beer uses photography, sound and discussion to connect audiences emotionally to Earth’s history and climate crisis. 

Louise works closely with scientists to explore how understanding the universe’s 13.8-billion-year history can deepen our awareness of the cosmic significance  of the climate crisis. Through digitally manipulating photography, she combines images of Earth and space to juxtapose the long, slow development of life, the fleeting nature of a lifetime, and the accelerating pace of the climate crisis. Accompanied by a soundscape of birdsong and cosmic recordings, Louise places Earth’s natural sounds from the local environment within a universal framework.

At the heart of Louise’s work is engaging with the public to make complex scientific and environmental ideas accessible, and to show their relevance to our lives. She works to invite the viewers of her work to experience a care connection to the environment, helping audiences feel deeply linked to the universe, and Earth’s deep-time history and future, through science and art.”

I created a new series of 9 images to accompany the original 10 photographic works, an additional sound element and Dr Matthew Bothwell contributed an audio piece. These elements are in conversation with a collection of over 90 scientist and community member responses, in the forms of letters and drawings. The questions I asked the scientists and the public, remained the same from Chapter One. The reponses were gathered from astronomers at the Institute of Astronomer, University of Cambridge and internationally, from workshops at the Institute, and workshops at Everybody Arts. These new responses are displayed alongside the Chapter One responses.

The scientists were asked:
‘How does your knowledge of the scales of time and the ∼13.8 billion year concatenation of astronomical and Earth-based events required to create Earth and all its biodiversity, help to shape your understanding of the significance of the climate crisis?’

The public was asked:
‘Look into the dark skies above you. Listen to the sounds of the environment all around you. Think about your place within Earth’s ecosystem and where Earth fits into the solar system and the galaxy. Think about the darkness around our Milky Way and the distance to the next galaxy.

Close your eyes and imagine seeing Earth from a great distance. Think about the colours and all the human and non-human life that has lived and lives within all of its environments. How would you describe Earth from this perspective?’

Photographic works
As with Chapter One, the photographic works bring together three temporalities - the astronomic, the geologic and the biologic. I created the new body of photographic works after spending time photographing the Yorkshire landscape. I also incorporated elements from my archive of photography, taken in different locations in England. The intention behind the works is to offer familiarity, but also distance. These landscapes and environments do not belong to humanity, or even this moment of Earth’s cosmic history.

Sound pieces
During each chapter of Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle I will collect and add to the previous sound elements. During this residency I gathered sonic elements to create a new addition the original sound piece. This new element creates a sense of planetary movement to bring the sonic elements from Chapter One. The excerpt below offers an idea of the sound piece in the space. Both elements are played simultaneously in the exhibition - and the emphasis changes as you move around the space.

Audio contributions
Dr Bothwell, public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, gave a wonderful introduction to how Earth formed over billions of years. This sound piece was played in the gallery space, next to ‘Earth, a Cosmic Spectacle I’.

Alongside the written responses from the scientists, I have also started to gather perspectives from international astronomers. These have been included in the Bloomberg App which accompanies the exhibition.

Exhibition at Everybody Arts
06 December 2025 - 07 March 2026
Everybody Arts
Halifax, England

Events
06 December - Presentation and dicsussion
27 January - Online panel discussion with Miranda Lowe CBE and Dr Anik Halder
07 March - Sound workshop with John Hooper and Todmorden Observatory
See more details here.

Installation at Everybody Arts

Installation photographs by John Hooper