What if the MIT Dome could look back at us—sharing dreams, revealing untold stories of struggle and triumph? Inspired by the motto “Per ardua ad astra”—“Through difficulties to the stars”—this project transforms the Dome into a living canvas, reflecting the resilience and aspirations of those who have shaped, or been shaped by, the MIT experience.

The Dome “looks back” through video close-ups of participants' eyes gazing at the stars, symbolizing shared human aspirations and dreams. Accompanied by coded visualizations of personal stories, the installation challenges conventional notions of success, instead emphasizing resilience, vulnerability, and the often-unspoken narratives of failure and transformation.

Stories will be collected through immersive pods equipped with AI LLMs and computer vision, traveling across campus to invite participants to share their journeys of ambition, setbacks, and perseverance. In this mindful experience, individuals are encouraged to voice their dreams, feelings, struggles, and longings. As they recount their experiences, close-up videos of their eyes will be captured, merging their unique iris patterns with representations of stars—just as we all look to the sky to dream. Their spoken words will then be translated into a coded language and projected inside their eyes.

Viewers in the city will have the opportunity to unlock these coded stories by pointing their devices at the Dome, revealing hidden messages and personal narratives embedded within the projection.

More details on locations and scheduling for sharing stories will be published on the upcoming project website.