The Gift

Co-created by artist and writer Janani Balasubramanian and astrophysicist Dr. Natalie Gosnell, the Gift is an immersive story telling experience intended to humanize science and foster awareness of our interconnectedness. Drawing on Dr. Gosnell’s research on blue straggler stars, the Gift tells the story a dying star who gives its remaining energy to its companion star. Through book and accompanying audio, the Gift tells a story about friendship, grief, and compassion through science.

The team asked me to make eight images that would illustrate how and where the Gift might live. No only do these images clarify the project’s place and function, it also shows how participants might interact with the work. These illustrations were shown to investors as a visual representation of the projects expanding scope for 2021.