Sacred Breaths
Where Art Meets Environmental Science
Exploring Air Quality
Welcome to Sacred Breaths, a research initiative that merges art and science to investigate air quality across different environments. Discover how our study uses immersive installations to gather real-time data and foster a deeper understanding of the air we breathe.
Visit the Sacred Breaths installation from 9.14.2024 through 4.30.2025 at the Science Gallery's Resilient Earth Exhibition.
About the Sacred Breaths Air Quality Study
Bridging Art and Science to Explore Air Quality
Sacred Breaths embarks on a comprehensive study designed to investigate the air quality in diverse environments. Our research aims to highlight the differences in air purity between controlled, urban, and natural settings, using advanced sensor technology integrated into the Sacred Breaths experience.
Research Methodology: How We Study Air Quality
Combining Technology and Art for Environmental Research
Sacred Breaths embarks on a comprehensive study designed to investigate the air quality in diverse environments. Our research aims to highlight the differences in air purity between controlled, urban, and natural settings, using advanced sensor technology integrated into the Sacred Breaths experience.
Sensor Placement
Inside the Greenhouse
Within the controlled environment of the greenhouse, our sensors monitor the air purified by various plants. This location provides a baseline for comparing how human-made environments can influence air quality.
Outside in the Urban Environment
Sensors placed just outside the greenhouse capture the air quality typical of an urban setting. This data helps us understand the impact of city life on the air we breathe.
Study Goals
Understanding and Improving Air Quality
The Sacred Breaths study is driven by several key goals:
Comparison of Environments
Analyze how different environments–controlled, urban, and natural–affect air quality.
public awareness
Use the immersive installation to raise awareness about the invisible aspects of the air we breathe.
data-driven insights
Provide data that can inform environmental policies and encourage actions to improve air quality in urban areas.
interdisciplinary collaboration
Demonstrate how art can be a powerful tool in scientific research, fostering a deeper connection between people and their environment.
Data Collection
Our data collection process is continuous, capturing real-time air quality metrics from each sensor location. This data is then analyzed to identify trends, compare environments, and uncover the subtle ways in which different factors influence the air we breathe. The data gathered from this study is contributing to air quality research performed by the Saikawa Lab at Emory University.
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While the study is ongoing, it is open source for you to explore in real time.
Explore the Data: Interactive Dashboard
Dive into the data behind Sacred Breaths – use our interactive dashboard to explore real-time data collected from our sensors and compare air quality across different environments.
Inside the greenhouse (CO2)
Outside the greenhouse (CO2)
Collaboration and Support
Join us in Our Effort to Improve Air Quality
The Sacred Breaths study is supported by a dedicated team of environmental scientists, artists, and community partners. Together, we aim to advance our understanding of air quality and inspire meaningful change. If you're interested in collaborating or supporting our research, please get in touch with us.
Contact the Sacred Breaths Team–We'd Love to Hear From You!
Whether you have questions, feedback, or would like to collaborate, we welcome your input. Reach out to us at eri.saikawa@emory.edu or connect with us via social media.