Sky Reserve

Sky Reserve

by Rafael Yossef Herman

In an age dominated by light pollution, the starry sky—with all its beauty and depth—is at risk of being forgotten. This project was created to restore people’s sense of wonder for pristine darkness, understood as a living and pure space, and to raise awareness about the impact of artificial light by promoting a model of ecological and cultural preservation.  

Led by artist Rafael Yossef Herman—renowned for his artistic practice that explores perception and transforms darkness into art—the project involves the creation of a land art installation that will celebrate the night sky over the island of Lampedusa in all its evocative power. Herman will undertake an artistic residency on the island, collaborating with local experts to study the landscape and historical memory of the area, developing a unique vision that will culminate in a site-specific exhibition and installation designed to engage in dialogue with the surrounding environment. At the heart of the project lies the idea of establishing a Sky Reserve in Lampedusa—an officially recognized UNESCO-protected area—that would serve as an international model for the conservation of the night sky. This would be the world’s first project to unite art and environmental protection on a global scale, transforming the chosen site into a beacon for ecological awareness. The work aims to rediscover darkness not as emptiness or absence, but as a living dimension capable of reconnecting humans with their natural environment and inspiring a deeper awareness of their role in the world. In addition to its artistic component, the project carries strong educational and cultural value, with initiatives aimed at raising community awareness about light pollution and the importance of protecting our natural heritage. Herman’s work will not only enhance the territory but project it onto the global stage, turning it into a reference point for night sky conservation and for the dialogue between humanity and nature. Through the combination of art and science, *Sky Reserve* not only celebrates the beauty of unspoiled night but also invites each of us to imagine a future where respect for nature is central to our actions. This one-of-a-kind project represents an innovative and inspiring vision, capable of leaving a lasting mark on the collective consciousness.

do you know the artist

Rafael Yossef Herman’s practice is defined by a metaphysical curiosity and an investigation of light as both a physical element and a protagonist of space-time. Encapsulating the imperceptible and the imaginary, the realities recreated by Herman explore the boundaries of the surreal and transport us to a place beyond the reach of everyday sight, engaging the viewer with what cannot be seen in the darkness of night, using absence as a visual vocabulary and reminding us of the environmental challenge of light pollution. Herman grew up in Be’er Sheva, studying classical music and the arts from the age of six. He graduated in economics from Tel Aviv University and studied painting and photography in Mexico and Chile, living in Latin America before settling in Europe. While living in Italy, Herman became a guest artist of the Ville de Paris, where he currently resides. His works are held in major public and private international collections, including the V&A Museum, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Salsali Museum in Dubai, the MAXXI, and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. He has held solo exhibitions at Palazzo Reale, Milan (2006); the MACRO Museum, Testaccio Pavilion, Rome (2017); the Ludwig Museum, Budapest (2018); the Sant’Elia Foundation, Palazzo Sant’Elia, Palermo (2022); and in spring 2024 at the SBC–Saidye Bronfman Center for Contemporary Art, Montreal