Frederick Douglass Legacy Exhibit, Rochester Airport

Frederick Douglass chose Rochester, New York as his home base for activism, publishing, and family life. Today, the airport that bears his name welcomes travelers with an exhibit that invites reflection on Douglass’s legacy while inspiring them to keep it alive. Working in conjunction with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, we created an experience that speaks to his lifelong commitment to justice.
Daguerrotypes in Motion
With a deep understanding of the power of images, Frederick Douglass was perhaps the world’s first influencer. He used daguerreotypes, a modern technology at the time, to carefully stage portraits that challenged dominant ideas about Black identity. In partnership with the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Blue Telescope continues that legacy, using today’s tools to once again bring his image and message to the public. Touch-sensitive LEDs display digital reproductions of historic daguerreotypes of Douglass and the city of Rochester while he lived there. We used AI to subtly and respectfully enhance the images, bringing them to life to assert his presence and reaffirm his relevance in today’s world. The slight motion also draws attention to the exhibit amid the bustle of a busy airport.
Reflecting on Freedom
Mirrored LED screens animate with flowing plant forms that grow around visitors’ reflections. With their deep roots and colorful growth, the visuals echo Douglass's foundational social justice work and its ongoing influence. Brief, actionable prompts appear onscreen, inviting visitors to reflect on the values that shaped the Douglass family’s legacy and consider how they might sow their own seeds of change.
Living Legacy
Frederick Douglass’s descendants deliver sections of some of his most famous speeches in this immersive audioscape. Hearing his family speak these words links the past to the present, reminding visitors that his legacy lives on through the power of his ideas and the ongoing work of those who carry his name.