This is a Los Angeles based project lead by artist Jamie Molaro (me) and co-conspirator Ian Reasor. I am a planetary scientist and a visual artist. Most of my art explores science in some way, incorporating scientific ideas and data into its making, and giving me a perspective on the solar system my academic research doesn’t offer. It also allows me to share its wonder with others, helping people to connect to and engage with science on their own terms and outside of a classroom. For this project, I wanted to explore the cosmos through a cultural lens, not just the way we see the stars today but how we have imagined them throughout time.
In a way, the study of space science is our modern creation story, but I’ve also always had a passion for myth, folklore, and ancient history as a way to explore human place in the universe. Here we bring both ancient and modern cosmology together, a reflection of our timeless love of the skies. Like a myth, the carousel is an object which brings our past to the present in an uncomplicated way– something nostalgic, the memories of which we love and universally relate to. Something with cultural context, but which we enjoy without overthinking. An escape to a fantasy world of our own making. And, being such an important part of human history, there is no shortage of stories about magical horses from around the world. I like to think it’s their magic that we capture in the joy of riding this carousel—a pure and simple delight.
While we have big dreams for this little carousel beyond the desert, the other part of its origin story is our experience at the Burning Man art festival which we’ve attended since 2006. Anyone who has been to Burning Man can tell you what an unimaginably imaginative place it is– a blank slate where people come together to build art and community just for the sake of sharing with each other. A place where we go to create, play, and express ourselves. Every year we’re out there I think about how it’s the kind of whimsical place where you just expect there should be a carousel, and yet we’ve never seen one. And every year I think, wouldn’t it be cool if we could bring one? And this year I thought…wait, could I?
In the long term, who knows what the future holds for this carousel! We’d love to see it hosted by museums, art galleries, maker spaces, and other places in Los Angeles where art and science come together. But for now, we’re just focused on finishing the painting and getting it to BRC and back once more 🙂
Find Jamie: www.jamiemolaro.com, Bluesky @spacejammie, IG @dataarcana
skyhorsecarousel@gmail.com
The Crew
Of course, we could have never done this on our own! We’re lucky to have met an incredible group of artists and collaborators eager to bring this dream to life! This has been a monumental effort and we’re so grateful for the friendships we’ve built along the way.
Collaborating Artists
Jamie Molaro – Art Director & Project Lead
Ian Reasor – Build Lead
James Baker – Engineering Lead
Jane Szabo – Paint Lead: color, scenery, & detail work
Laura Lawson – Paint Lead: color, scenery, & detail work
Jim McAninch – Paint Lead: priming & glossing
Aiva Ievins
Alex Berrie
Allison Baymiller
Catie Roads
Chess MacElvaine
Courtney Cooper-Amritt
Desiree Reusch
Eleana
Ellie Anhalt
Erik Koelle
Glow
Grace Edgerton
Holly Martin
Ilka Mascelli
Irena Li
Jen Scully
Jim Schwegman
Joseph Chan
Judith Nielsen
Karen Tang
Kaya Cooper-Amritt
Kris Tholke
Kyle Robinson
LaLa Briggs
Lauren Robinson
Liton Francisco
Maria Ventura
Otho Bel
Rachel Kenny
Ralph Colbren
Raymond Gutierrez
Rebel
Rick Tennant
Roxy Might
Sabrina Tom
Safiye Kucuktepe
Sam Lirones
Sarah Bradford
Shawn Benjamin
Shiori N
Sid Deshpande
Spencer Edgerton
Steve Vance
Tim Francisco
Tina Tholke
Tyler Kenny
Valentine Garcia
Skyhorse Carousel 