The project “Heavier than Air” took place in the Shadow Box at Faith J. McKinnie Gallery from February 16-March 26 2022.

Participants were invited to reflect on what had felt heavy to them during the past two years, then blow up a balloon and share a photo of their hand holding that balloon. Participants also had the option to share something for inclusion in the project about what had felt heavy for them during this time. Over the course of the project, all 705 balloons were taken. 174 participants shared photos of their balloons. 93 participants also chose to share words. All of these photos and words are contained in the zine “Heavier than Air,” available through this link: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2245328

Many thanks to Faith J. McKinnie and Genesis Torres for creating the space for this project to exist. Thanks also to the other curators of the Coordinates: Ice Pac exhibition, Liv Moe and Molly Stroud. Finally, thank you to all who participated in the project for sharing the weight of our collective grief and making it easier to bear.