My research on solar eclipses started by accident, on the campus of the University of South Florida, August 21, 2017 and led to an archive installation at the Orlando Museum of Art in 2018. Initiated October 2023, in anticipation of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, and seeking a more deeply radiant form of research and exchange with the public, I started developing HOW TO WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE, and I’m thankful to the many institutions and classrooms that welcomed me across the country throughout spring 2024 including:

Andrew Rafacz Gallery (Chicago), University of Buffalo’s UB Gallery, Bica School at the Buffalo Institute of Contemporary Art, California College of the Arts/Nelson Chan, Casselberry Art Center (Orlando), Colorado School of Mines/Mairead Case, Filter Photo Chicago/Erin Hoyt, Florida International University/Fereshteh Toosi, Hillsborough Community College, Keene State College/Jon Gitelson, Light Work NY/Whitney Hubbs, Ohio State University / Lima Gallery, School of the Art Institute/Jessica Zawadowicz, SIUE/Abby Hepner, Tulane University/AnnieLaurie Erickson, University of Colorado Boulder/Jeanne Liotta, University of Denver/Calista Lyon, University of South Florida, University of Houston/Jillian Conrad. Thanks for you conversation and engagement.

HOW TO WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE (1hr 5min), 2024 >

***In anticipation of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse–the last total solar eclipse in the lower 48 states until 2044***

I’m offering a free zoom lecture, HOW TO WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE, to cultural institutions and museums, colleges and universities, public classrooms and learning groups from Jan 7th – April 5th 2024. The artist lecture will touch on vision and visibility, poetry and poetics, art, history, science, intergenerational intimacy, and access.

HOW TO WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE will particularly speak to artists and art students, interdisciplinary thinkers, and dreamers as well–everyone is invited.

The lecture concludes with an invitation to participate in a public art project that endeavors to become the world’s largest archive of used handmade solar eclipse viewers–each one named by the name, age, and location of each project participant. The collection, to be titled April 8, 2024, is designed to become a safety net for those who might otherwise toss their viewers in the trash. All participants who donate a used solar eclipse viewer will receive a free signed artist thank-you print celebrating the eclipse!

My research on solar eclipses started by accident, on the campus of the University of South Florida, August 21, 2017 and led to an archive installation at the Orlando Museum of Art in 2018 (see here). In anticipation of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, I’m seeking a more deeply radiant form of research and exchange with the public.

If you’d like to learn more about the lecture and to discuss a possible spring booking for an institution, college, university, high school classroom, or learning group, please contact me at .

I’m an Artist and Associate Professor of Art at the University of South Florida who for 20 years has been making work about vision and visibility. For a full bio click HERE.

PROJECT RESOURCES:

**HOW TO WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE**
click HERE for main project link with contact information

**ECLIPSE BIBLIOGRAPHY**
click HERE to access, enjoy, and share the project’s growing, wandering bibliography featuring essays, films, videos, books, and a list of art practices/works that are eclipse kindred

**MAKE AN ECLIPSE VIEWER, AN ARTIST GUIDE**
click HERE to access an artist’s guide to making a handmade solar eclipse viewer

**DONATE YOUR USED ECLIPSE VIEWER TO THE APRIL 8, 2024 REPOSITORY**
click HERE to donate to the world’s largest archive of used handmade solar eclipse viewers–each one named by the name and location used of each project participant.

Together in awe,
Yours,

Jason Lazarus
Associate Professor of Art and Art History
University of South Florida