Light Night Leeds: We Are Stardust

A free light projection artwork by Daksha Patel at Laidlaw Library exploring galaxies, star formation and the cosmic origins of life, part of Light Night Leeds.

We Are Stardust is a light projection installation by artist Daksha Patel, shown at Laidlaw Library as part of Light Night Leeds. Accompanied by an original soundtrack by James Hamilton, the work depicts two merging galaxies whose starbursts forge new elements such as carbon, the basis of life on Earth. Dynamic simulations of interacting particles bring the birth of planets to life, drawing on astrophysics research at the University of Leeds and images from Florence Bell's notebook and thesis held in the university's Cultural Collections. The installation runs across two evenings from 6pm to 9.30pm.