Reflections Between Roots and Stars

Ben Smith

Madison, WI

Visual Artist & Past GLEAM Contributor: Jen Fuller

Voiceover Artist: Paul Compton

Step into a meditative light and sound installation where luminous forms ripple across the garden, mirroring the delicate tension between grounding and growth. Inspired by Rand Aldo’s Roots vs. Seeds and the timeless poem Desiderata, this installation explores reflection as both inner contemplation and mirrored light. Guests are invited to wander through shifting projections that echo nature’s patterns—roots, branches, constellations—while voices whisper lines from Desiderata, calling us to walk gently, to be still, and to seek peace amid life’s motion. Desiderata By Max Ehrmann Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Pro Tip

Linger a while—this installation unfolds slowly, inviting quiet reflection. The longer you stay, the more patterns, whispers, and meanings will reveal themselves—just as Desiderata encourages us to find peace in stillness and clarity in contemplation.

Inside the Installation

Materials: Lighting fixtures, metallic spheres, and water pumps to encourage movement of the spheres

  1. Poetry in Motion: The installation features a meditative voiceover of Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata, inviting guests to reflect on peace, presence, and purpose as the words gently unfold within the garden’s natural ambiance.

  2. Nature-Inspired Light Forms: The projection patterns are inspired by organic structures—roots, branches, constellations—mirroring the connection between earth and sky, grounding and aspiration.

  3. Immersive Audio Design: Custom-designed ambient soundscapes echo natural elements like wind, water, and whispering voices, enveloping visitors in a fully immersive sensory environment.

  4. Collaborative Vision: The installation was shaped through collaboration with past GLEAM artist Jen Fuller and features the voice of Paul Compton, whose narration brings emotional depth to the experience.
  5. Site-Specific Experience: Designed specifically for Olbrich Gardens’ Sunken Garden, the installation responds to the site’s unique topography and plant life, allowing the projected light to ripple across leaves, stone, and water in real time.

Artist Bio

Ben Smith

Ben Smith is a lighting designer and video projection artist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With a background in audio, video, and lighting technology spanning nearly three decades, his work blends technical mastery with poetic visual storytelling. Ben’s artistic journey has taken him from large-scale productions like the 2010 Winter Olympic Ceremonies to immersive public art installations and theatrical performances around the world. Whether transforming natural landscapes or stage environments, his installations invite reflection, wonder, and connection through carefully choreographed movement, sound, and light. Now working in higher education, Ben continues to create environments that inspire curiosity and foster community through art and design.