Manifesting Destiny

How can we reclaim storytelling tools in a new era of colonization? Manifesting Destiny is a multimedia installation that explores the colonization of space, dark sky advocacy, and pop astrology. Our sky looks completely different from the one our collective ancestors have been looking at for millenia. The largest constellation in our sky is the Starlink satellite constellation, which consists of over 7000 (and counting) objects in low orbit. While it does provide internet to those who need it, the consequences of this large scale project, and other projects like it, are being overlooked. Unchecked space-age colonialism demands that skies get brighter, resources get exploited, and stories we have known for generations are lost. 

Manifesting Destiny imagines a world where astrology is based on manmade constellations such as Starlink. Astrology is a divinatory storytelling tool that can be found in most major ancient cultures. Like the sky, it has been co-opted by capitalist entities. It is no longer a tool for survival, pattern recognition, and storytelling, but a way to profit off of individuals. Manifesting Destiny reflects the capitalist reality of a heritage storytelling tool. Accompanying the digital platform is a series of poster advertisements that satirize the lighthearted tone our society takes with our own future.