Community Eclipse Watch

Monday, April 8, Noon – 6PM

UB Anderson Gallery

Free

Witness the wonder of the total solar eclipse at UB Anderson Gallery! This celestial phenomenon has captivated artists for centuries, and we invite you to join us for an afternoon of safe viewing and creative exploration.

• Observe the eclipse: View the eclipse safely through our limited supply of eclipse glasses or build your own viewer using everyday materials.
• Art activities: Engage in all-ages art activities inspired by the eclipse and celestial themes.
• Gallery Exhibitions: Explore Looking Up, an exhibition showcasing celestially inspired prints, and discover Looking Down, a new site-specific installation in the parking lot by artists Zorawar Sidhu and Rob Swainston in collaboration with UB Department of Architecture faculty members Christopher Romano, Michael Hoover, and Randy Fernando.

Additional Information:

• Bring your own: Chair, picnic blanket, or comfortable seating.
• Parking: None will be available at UB Anderson Gallery. We encourage walking, biking, or using public transportation. Over 1 million visitors are expected in Buffalo on this day, so anticipate traffic delays.
• Safety: Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the eclipse and engage with art in a unique community setting!

In collaboration with UB School of Architecture faculty Christopher Romano, Michael Hoover, and Randy Fernando; New York City-based printmakers and artists Zorawar Sidhu and Rob Swainston; and UB Art Galleries staff we proudly present Looking Down, a temporary installation designed for the safe and interactive observation of the upcoming total eclipse on April 8th. 

Inspired by the intricate carving and layering techniques evident in the woodcut prints that artists Sidhu and Swainston used in their UB Anderson Gallery exhibition, and built from the plywood panels the artists salvaged from boarded-up windows in New York City in 2020 and 2021, Looking Down incorporates constellations of holes that will activate as the moon moves in front of the sun during the total solar eclipse.  

The transformed remnants from the printmaking process now function as conduits for projecting light – allowing viewers to witness the celestial spectacle together, looking at the ground as a projection plane and a safe field to observe the passage.