In this world where we seem to lead busy lives, how often do we actually stop to think about our existence? I try to be mindful, but it’s hard to not get distracted by deadlines, relationships, and just THINGS that happen that require our attention on a daily basis.

Artist, activist, and designer Sebastian Errazuriz’s latest project invites us to ponder about our fragility and frames our existence against the vastness that is the earth and the universe. blu Marble is an installation of live NASA satellite footage of earth projected on a 20-ft LED structure in an empty Lower East Side lot. The piece is also an homage to the iconic 1972 “Blue Marble” photo captured by the Apollo 17 crew.

“It places our very existence in perspective at a global level – as a tiny spec in space – beckoning us to live fully with an awareness and mindfulness of our limited time on this vulnerable and beautiful planet.”
—Sebastian Errazuriz

When I walked by the other night, a horde of 15-20 people were gathered around taking pictures (I soon joined them, of course :P). There was also conversation. It was mostly about the piece itself and how magnificent this simulacrum of our planet looked sandwiched between low-rises in the neighborhood, but the message was clear: we are but an insignificant, minuscule spec traversing through space and time. What do we want our existence to mean in this short time on this fragile but beautiful planet?