⛉ Exploring Exoplanets
From July 29th to August 2nd, 2024, I hosted "Exploring Exoplanets," an immersive exhibition and event series at XENON, located within HUSET Copenhagen. This interdisciplinary project, blending art and exoplanetary science, attracted nearly 500 visitors throughout the week.
Presented alongside the conference “Are We a Unique Species on a Unique Planet” at the University of Copenhagen, the event was independently open to the public and free of charge. The exhibition featured my artistic work exploring the relationship between art and natural sciences, particularly exoplanet research. Visitors engaged with a curated selection of portraits of exoplanet scientists, textile designs, photographs, and video installations.
In addition to the exhibition, attendees could participate in a variety of interactive experiences, including:
- Guided meditation sessions inspired by the cosmos
- A blend of humor and astrophysics with improv comedy from Improv Comedy Copenhagen
- Data visualization workshops offering creative approaches to representing scientific data
- An interactive role-playing session simulating the life of an exoplanet explorer
- Special educational activities for children on Wednesday morning
This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors:
Main Sponsor: Carlsberg Foundation (Mindelegat)
Additional Support: The CHAMELEON ITN (funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant No 860470), KU Copenhagen, Department of Educational Science, SEADS (Space Ecologies Art and Design), Huset Copenhagen, and Theater Neumarkt.
I would like to extend special thanks to Anja C. Andersen, Jesper Bruun, Oriel Marshall, and Sven Kiefer for their incredible assistance in organizing the event, and to Victor Steemans for his excellent graphic design contributions.
Opening night
The opening night featured the unveiling of collection of exoplanet inspired artworks, including portraits of scientists and their research, textile designs, photographs, and video installations. Actress Melina Psychny (DE) reprised her role as Aurora from the Exomoon project, guiding the audience through a cosmic meditation, while the evening concluded with an immersive audiovisual DJ set.
SciFi and the Cosmos
On a beautiful Copenhagen evening, SciFi and the Cosmos brought together scientists and enthusiasts to explore iconic space moments in cinema, games, and pop culture. Hosted by astronomer Anja C. Andersen and space architect Angelo Vermeulen, alongside exoplanet experts Nanna Bach-Møller and Sven Kiefer, the event unravelled the intersection of science and fiction. Through lively discussions, the panel examined how media has shaped scientific thought, highlighting both accuracies and myths, while providing insights into the real-world science behind beloved space adventures.
Data visualisation Workshop
This workshop introduced participants to exoplanet data visualisation using TouchDesigner and Python. Led by Pieter Steyaert, Helena Lecoq Molinos, Thorsten Balduin, and Aitor Biedma, attendees worked with real exoplanet data to create visualisations and render scenes with lighting and materials. Designed for participants 16 and up, the session combined accessible tools and expert guidance to transform complex data into compelling visuals.
Habitat in Peril RPG
Participants stepped into the roles of settlers on an exomoon station facing catastrophic storms in this half-day tabletop RPG. Using a custom game system inspired by Kids on Bikes, groups tackled challenges to restore the station and survive the crisis. The event combined science, teamwork, and storytelling, welcoming players aged 16 and up to navigate the unfolding adventure.
Improv Comedy
The finale of Exploring Exoplanets featured talks on exoplanet science by a professors Chistiane Helling and Katrien Kolenberg and Doctors Svien Kiefer, Till Kaufer, Beatriz Campos Estrada and Nanna Bach-Moller followed by Improv Comedy Copenhagen transforming science and audience questions into spontaneous comedy. The evening was hosten by artists and scientists Jo Verwohlt and Pieter Steyaert.
Astro Bodies
Astro Bodies offered two one-hour exercise sessions inspired by astrophysical phenomena. Led by Anja C. Andersen, Jesper Bruun, and fellow astronomers, participants explored celestial dynamics through movement, blending education and physical activity in a creative way.
Explorers
This event at Huset Copenhagen invited kids and teens aged 10 and up to explore exoplanet science through interactive activities. Led by Oriel Marshall, with astronomers Beatriz and Thorsten, participants created exoplanet clouds, simulated lightning, and digitally explored alien atmospheres, combining fun with educational insights.
