Reaching for Heaven  is a didactic art installation...

...that was first funded and created for the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. It represents artist Joe Arnold's vision of the choices we make in life. A central tower asks the question: do we contract our lives inward, bound by self-created chains and protected by armor plating, or do we ascend, take risks, open up, reach for Heaven and strive to be our best selves?

Surrounding the central spire are five life-size sculptures, each holding a globe. An angel, holding the world at her heart, welcomes the visitor and offers the Path of Choice. The first of the Path of Life sculptures is a Child who sees himself in a beautiful, magical golden globe with curiosity; the second sculpture is a Youth who stands on a mountaintop and holds the world in the palm of their hand and reaches to Heaven in joy; the third sculpture represents Middle Age - the person carries the weight of the world on their shoulders; the fourth sculpture represents Old Age - the person holds the world aloft in wonder and curiosity again.

Reaching for Heaven

A story about the most magical and daring of all adventures:

The Journey of Life