A lighthouse’s geographical range is the greatest distance the curvature of the earth permits an object of a given height to be seen from a particular height of eye without regard to luminous intensity or visibility conditions.

We met by chance at an art lecture in New York. We started talking and realized we lived near each other. Several years went by, and we never really kept in touch, but we didn’t not stay in touch either. Maybe there was something kindred in us but not explicit, except we are both artists who grew up in New York City and make work that cares about light. We reconnected on a hot summer day in August 2024 and again the following summer. In the fall, we began a collaboration at a distance over the dark months, using text message as the most expedient medium.

We began sending each other cross-country weather reports from our respective locations. Our geographical range was the 3000-mile distance between us—Julia in New York, NY (40° N, 74°W), Shaw in Olympia, WA (47° N, 122°W)—and our particular height, without regard to visibility conditions. Feels like this from here.