The Gift

Presented in multiple languages, The Gift is a therapeutic storytelling experience that connects astrophysical research to universal human experiences of loss, transformation, and renewal. The Gift tells the story of two stars that are so close to one another yet so far from us that they appear as a single point of light in the sky. Participants of all ages will gather in Commons, where they will encounter an enveloping musical score and an illustrated book—based on the astrophysics research of observational astrophysicist Natalie Gosnell, PhD—and embark on an immersive reading experience that invites both tactile and emotional responses. Readers are invited to engage at their own pace, connecting this cosmic story to their own human experiences of loss and transformation. It is presented in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean, and will include new Yale Schwarzman Center translation commissions in Arabic and Braille. This tender story and playful experience heeds the call of anthropologist Emily Martin, to “wake the sleeping metaphors of science.” The Gift is a collaborative project between multi-disciplinary artist-entrepreneur Janani Balasubramanian, Gosnell, and observational astrophysicist and creative producer Andrew Kircher, PhD. The book features artwork by Amy Myers and design by Katie Hodge. The original sound score is by Tina-Hanaé Miller with arrangement by Solomon Hoffman.

More about the research:

Natalie’s astrophysics research focuses on binary star systems where, at the end of its life, one star transfers its material to a companion, allowing the companion to shine brighter and bluer. Instead of the violent metaphors like “stellar vampirism” or “stellar cannibalism” often used to describe this process, the creative team behind The Gift framed this celestial exchange as an act of care and connection—a gift. The team has been working in deep collaboration with Stanford Medicine and multiple global sites to bring The Gift to the heart of medical care, particularly in contexts of end-of-life, bereavement, and serious illness.

More from The Gift team:

“In end-of-life care, bereavement, and serious illness, artistic and humanistic approaches are essential for fostering connection and healing. As we expand The Gift into healthcare, in partnership with Stanford Medicine and others, we are exploring its use as a therapeutic modality for grief in contexts of loss and serious illness. This showing at Yale’s Schwarzman Center highlights the growing role of the arts in medicine, sparking vital conversations on loneliness, transformation, and the power of storytelling in care.”

The Gift is presented in collaboration with Yale University Libraries and Yale School of Public Health.