Wake the Great Salt Lake Announces Dates for Olafur Eliasson's Signature Commission Work

Immersive light-and-sound installation invites community reflection and action around the Great Salt Lake's future

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office have announced the official dates for A symphony of disappearing sounds for the Great Salt Lake, the signature artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson. The large-scale sound and light installation will illuminate Memory Grove every evening from March 26 through April 4, 2026, marking the culminating experience of Wake the Great Salt Lake, a citywide public art initiative raising awareness and inspiring action around the lake's rapid decline.

Why it matters

Wake the Great Salt Lake is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which brings together cities and their leaders to develop innovative, temporary public art projects that address important civic issues in their communities. The public art activities of Wake the Great Salt Lake include 12 art projects by artists based in Salt Lake City or with Utah ties, expressing the community's concerns and hopes for the Great Salt Lake across a wide range of artistic mediums.

The details

A symphony of disappearing sounds for the Great Salt Lake, 2026, is a public artwork by artist Olafur Eliasson that comprises a light projection and a musical composition. The work utilizes field recordings of local animals and other natural phenomena taken from existing archives as well as new recordings. The audio is accompanied by a colorful, evolving light projection that unfurls upon the surface of a large, elevated sphere installed temporarily at Memory Grove in Salt Lake City.

  • Every evening from March 26 to April 4, with gates opening at 8pm, activation at 9pm
  • A public speaking event with Olafur Eliasson will take place Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Salt Lake City Public Library's Nancy Tessman Auditorium.

The players

Olafur Eliasson

An Icelandic-Danish artist internationally-renowned for his public installations that challenge the way we perceive and co-create our environments.

Salt Lake City Arts Council

A partnership that promotes, presents, and supports artists, arts organizations, and arts activities in order to further the development of the arts community and to benefit the public.

Salt Lake City Mayor's Office

The office of Mayor Erin Mendenhall, the mayor of Salt Lake City, the capital and most populous city in Utah, the fastest-growing state in the country.

Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge

A program that brings together cities and their leaders, residents, and artists to develop temporary public art projects that address important civic issues in their communities.

Wake the Great Salt Lake

A temporary public art project that aims to educate and inspire residents and visitors to understand and prevent the further decline of the Great Salt Lake.

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What they’re saying

“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. Caring for the lake means caring for our air quality, wildlife, and the well-being of our communities. The arts help translate these complex issues into human stories that inspire people to act, and we're grateful for the collaboration of Bloomberg Philanthropies, Olafur Eliasson, and the local artists who have brought this project to life.”

— Felicia Baca, Director, Salt Lake City Arts Council (PRNewswire)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.