Cosmic Concierge

Milwaukee, WI

Commissioned by Visto Images in 2020, Cosmic Concierge is a human-powered installation inspired by the summer night sky over Milwaukee. It combines some reimagined childhood favorites: a sit-n-spin, a mechanical music box, and a wheel of fortune.

The star tunnel suspended overhead mimics a section of the night sky over Milwaukee, and looking into the spinning wheel, the starscape from Milwaukee’s antipode extends down into infinity.

The installation is activated as someone sits on the spinning wheel, suspended between two infinities, and spins the handle in front of them. A concealed music box plays a custom star song at the tempo of the rotation, and with each note, eight abstract symbols in neon are illuminated one by one in succession. When the wheel stops, the symbol that’s still lit can be interpreted using a key.