Natural Philosophies

Starry Transit_9_five panel artwork on observatory wall

Starry Transit_panorama in shape of cross showing observatory space

Starry Transit_night view of cabinet and machines in observatory

Starry Transit_day view of cabinet two drawers open

Starry Transit_cast iron machine with two round maps

Starry Transit_round map detail brass rings

Starry Transit_day view in observatory with mirror cabinet machine

each panel is 39" high x 24" wide x 4" deep

2005

wood, digital prints, copper, brass, pigments, bird bones

Natural Philosophies was created for the Starry Transit installation. This five panel wall piece blends different observations of the sky, stars, and bird migration that come from both historical and contemporary sources.

Madison designer John Huston worked on the graphic design for Natural Philosophies. This photograph, taken by Jamie Young, shows the piece in the Washburn Observatory dome.

Natural Philosophies is in the collection of the University of Wisconsin-Madison libraries.