A series of evocative and colourful patterns inspired by the stars can now be viewed on a giant screen at Edinburgh Futures Institute, following the launch of You Are Here, a new artwork generated by specialist design studio, Ray Interactive.
You Are Here is a generative artwork based on the live positions of the stars from a precise viewpoint on earth, in this case, Edinburgh Futures Institute.
The piece uses the cosmos to seed biology-inspired algorithms that generate vivid patterns evoking fingerprints, cells, animal markings and mycelial networks.
You Are Here invites viewers to reflect on the fact that all life originated in the stars, and that each moment in space and time is as unique as an organism’s DNA.
The piece was co-commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts and New Media Scotland’s Alt-w Fund with investment from Creative Scotland and the University of Edinburgh.
This new artwork adds to other creative works displayed in the Futures Institute Building, including the Edinburgh Seven Tapestry (Level 1-2) and the Spirit Case (Level 3)
Another space currently under development is the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room (Level 1), made possible by a generous gift from University of Edinburgh alumna Anthea Bond, which housed pop-up exhibitions In Summer 2025. The Anthea Bond Exhibition Room public programme will launch in early 2026.
Jennifer Williams, Edinburgh Futures Institute Creative Projects Manager:
“From stardust we came, and to stardust will we return…It is with great excitement that we welcome this extraordinary artwork by Ray Interactive to Edinburgh Futures Institute, the first in our new programme of cutting-edge digital artworks to light up the big screen on Level 2. It asks us to consider our place in the universe by merging cutting edge technology, cosmology and the most essential and ancient questions ever to be asked by humans in one brilliant and beautiful, ever-changing expression of light and colour. We hope you will join us in exploring this and more creative projects on screens, in the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room and in other locations throughout Edinburgh Futures Institute in 2026.”
You Are Here can be viewed at Level 2 near the Futures Institute’s clocktower entrance from December 2025 to January 2026.
Images: Chris Scott
