San Jose City Hall’s plaza has seen lowrider shows, a huge EDM concert, protests and more. But it’s never looked like it did on Saturday when 2,000 people covered the plaza with illuminated umbrellas.
It’s part of a “flash art” event called “Invisible Skies” by artist Elizabeth Turk. The illuminated umbrella props were illustrated with constellations, planets and other heavenly bodies. Participants — wearing all black — moved and danced around the Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda as it was recorded from above to create stunning imagery that will later show up in public spaces. Makes sense, as the rotunda dome does look a lot like an observatory. – Sal Pizarro
-Photos by Thien-An Truong for the Bay Area News Group
A general view of the Rotunda as participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) A mariachi band performs during Invisible Skies San Jose at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) An umbrella showcasing the North Star is seen at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants stand with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) Participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) A general view as participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group) A general view as participants march with umbrellas printed with aerial photographs at City Hall in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Thien-An Truong for Bay Area News Group)