Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D. & The Santa Rosa Labyrinth Foundation

- Skylight Area -
This two day temporary labyrinth of light was placed in the Exploratorium,
housed in one of the original buildings left from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition
Presidio - San Francisco

The oldest known labyrinth designs date back more than 3,000 years.
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path to its center,
inviting the user to contemplate the journey rather than the puzzle.
This weekend, we've taken this ancient idea and given it a modern twist
by crafting a seven-circuit labyrinth out of rope lights.
Whether you choose to walk it slowly in quiet meditation
or swiftly with joyful exuberance, this glimmering labyrinth of light will surely enchant you.
-Jeanne Marie Acceturo, Senior Public Programs Developer - San Francisco Exploritorium

Labyrinth Design, Facilitation of Installation, & Photos by Lea Goode-Harris, Ph.D.

These two young women ,
walked the entire labyrinth, in and out,
in a synchronized fashion.

We had them teach us how they did it, so we can attempt to replicate it and teach it to others.

We are calling it
"The Casey-Olivia San Francisco Exploratorium Labyrinth Walk"

This child ran and ran the labyrinth
with her little sister. When she finished
she left the labyrinth and sat down
on the entrance arrow,
filled with delight.

The San Francisco Exploratorium has a wonderful staff of high school and collage-age young people (in the orange vests) as "Explainers." Besides facilitating and watching over the labyrinth event, they also got to experience the labyrinth in a number of ways.
(i.e.: watching, walking, & running)

We had "Superman" and
a budding "Fireman"
walk the labyrinth.

Over 1600 people,
of all ages, young and old,
enjoyed the twists and turns of light.

I was surprised and delighted to have my friend and labyrinth colleague,
Haskel Straus of Lincoln, Massachusetts,
join me for the day!

When you need help installing a labyrinth, a good team is invaluable.
Jeanne Marie and I had the best team we could have asked for.
These Exploratorium staff and volunteers worked hard to have the labyrinth up in lights,
in less than two hours, for the opening day.

Jeanne Marie,
LED rope splicing maestro,
puts the final touches on one of our two rope lights.

Our labyrinth of light team
(left to right)
Dave, Sebastian, Jim, Jeanne Marie,
Cady, Nick, & Lea (not pictured here-Julie)

Nick and Julie

On October 31, 2005 we did a mock-up installation in preperation for the December San Francisco Exploratorium Light Insight: Holidays at the Exploratorium. Jeanne Marie & I appreciated the assistance of Mary Luttrell in helping us lay out the approximate 437 feet of rope lights.