David Geffen Hall Chandeliers

2022

The renovation of David Geffen Hall draws inspiration from the ancient Roman traditions of Pentecostal Mass, in which rose petals were dropped from the Pantheon’s oculus onto the faithful to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit.

From far away, the 8 chandeliers are columns of falling petals but as the viewer draws closer, the details of their construction reveal references to instruments. The concentric circles on the domed petals are artifacts of a manufacturing process similar to cymbal making while the attaching stems are resemble keys of a woodwind.