The earth is constantly being showered with cosmic rays. This work visualizes by way of blinking LEDs the existence of energy that comes pouring down from outer space. The exhibition space is illuminated by 240 LED plates and eight neon tubes separated by translucent membranes. As soon as a sensor detects cosmic rays, the LED plates quietly go out, and only the silhouettes of the round-shaped plates remain visible against the background. As time passes, the dead plates respond to the energy of the cosmic rays, and the LEDs go on again to fill the room with faint light.

"Cosmic rays" is a collective term used to describe radiation and high-energy particles flying around in outer space at nearly the speed of light. It is said that approximately 200 of these rays invisible to the human eye are passing through our bodies every minute. They come from the sun, or are caused by explosions of supernovas – in other words, dying stars – thousands of light years away.

As they expand our senses to a cosmic scale, the lights in this work seem to be telling us a magnificent story about the birth of the universe, life and death, as they quietly come and go.

Cooperation: Nichia Corporation

OSAKA Takuro Profile

Born 1948 in Tokyo. Initially sculpting works using metal, his interest shifted toward light. Attracted attention with subsequent works mainly revolving around the discharge phenomenon. In recent years he has produced several space themed works such as installations using sensors to detect and convert cosmic rays into LED light. As head of the space art research community "beyond [space+art+design]," he has been carrying out artistic experiments at the International Space Station since 2008.
Past Exhibition / Event