RSVP HERE
Immersive light-and-sound installation invites community reflection and action around the Great Salt Lake’s future
The Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office have announced the dates for A symphony of disappearing sounds for the Great Salt Lake, a new public artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson. The immersive sound and light installation will illuminate Memory Grove nightly from March 26 through April 4, 2026, as the culminating experience of Wake the Great Salt Lake, a citywide public art initiative addressing the lake’s rapid decline.
The project marks Eliasson’s first commissioned work in Utah and the Intermountain West and serves as the signature commission for Wake the Great Salt Lake. Installed outdoors at Memory Grove, the artwork combines a musical composition with a dynamic light projection unfolding across the surface of a large, elevated sphere.
The soundscape draws from field recordings of local animals and natural phenomena, sourced from existing archives as well as new recordings. By bringing these sounds into an urban setting, the work highlights the deep connections between Salt Lake City and its surrounding environment, inviting reflection on shared ecological responsibility.
The installation will be presented every evening during its run, with gates opening at 8pm and the artwork activating at 9pm Admission is free, and tickets are not required, though attendees are encouraged to RSVP at wakegsl.eventbrite.com for event updates.
A public speaking event with Olafur Eliasson will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Salt Lake City Public Library’s Nancy Tessman Auditorium, with additional details to be announced.
Wake the Great Salt Lake is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge and includes 12 public art projects by artists based in Salt Lake City or with Utah ties, reflecting community concerns and hopes for the Great Salt Lake across a range of artistic mediums.
“Environmental issues like the decline of the Great Salt Lake don’t happen in a vacuum—they’re part of broader conversations about stewardship, culture, and our shared future,” said Felicia Baca, Director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council. “The arts help translate these complex issues into human stories that inspire people to act.”
Community members can sign up for the Wake the Great Salt Lake newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events and programs.
