'We Are Stardust' Redwood City Art Exhibit Acknowledges Rebirth

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Following a period of cataclysmic destruction, society sometimes can be reborn out of the devastation.

For artist Fernando Escartiz, witnessing firsthand the impact of COVID-19 inspired his work “We Are Stardust,” on display at the Art Kiosk on Courthouse Square in Redwood City through Dec. 12.

The installation features large-scale celestial constructions, including an asteroid and meteorite, that envelop portions of the San Mateo County History Museum, with colorful lights that show off at night.

“With its impact, the asteroid symbolizes a change in our lives, whether it’s the loss of someone or the loss of a job or any large impact,” Escartiz said to Patch last week via an interpreter. “It's really helped us in a way to be reborn and re-transformed, which is what we’re going through with COVID-19.”

Also, Escartiz added: “It’s like everyone is going through this transition of reviving. Society as a whole is coming back to life — almost like rising from the ashes, if you will.”

Escartiz, a Redwood City resident, was born in Mexico City, where he began his artistic career. He has been commissioned for works at the San Francisco Symphony Hall, Oakland Museum and in Redwood City for Lunar Year Festival and Annual Day of the Dead events.

“We Are Stardust” is Escartiz’s second piece to be displayed at the Art Kiosk. He also worked on “The Dream” in 2019.

Escartiz said he enjoys collaborating with the Art Kiosk and the Redwood City Improvement Association because the artwork can be experienced from the outside by anyone walking past.

“It’s not like you have to go into a gallery,” Escartiz said. “Anyone just walking by can experience the art and embrace it."

“We Are Stardust” took around two months to complete, according to Escartiz. The artist used styrofoam to construct the piece, and he said the most difficult part of the process was securing the large materials to the building.

Escartiz said he is happy about the piece because he’s received lots of feedback on social media.

“If you’re able to invoke emotion in people as they are engaging with your art, then you know you are doing the right thing,” Escartiz said.

The closing ceremony reception for “We Are Stardust” will be at the Art Kiosk on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. Click here for more information.