Robots, impossible music and the world’s end: visit Science Gallery in 2017

Posted on: 01 December 2016

Can artificial intelligence really do your job better than you? What does an impossible instrument sound like? Should we be worried that the end of the world can be…… entertaining? In 2017, Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin will answer all of these questions and more.

Senator Lynn Ruane and Trinity’s Vice Provost /Chief Academic Officer Professor Chris Morash launched Science Gallery Dublin’s programme of three new compelling themes for 2017 on Thursday, 1st December.

Student Hasshim Gopee, a local resident and member of the mediator team at Science Gallery Dublin, also spoke at the launch. He first came to the gallery as a student in C.B.S. Westland Row, and was a participant in one of the gallery’s Transition Year education programmes. He spoke about the importance of this engagement in informing his decision to study and pursue a career in science.

The gallery has plans to expand their educational programme in 2017 with the development of their MAKESHOP programme. This will provide workshops and training to young people beyond the city centre through outreach programmes, as well as continuing their activities in their headquarters in Lincoln Place.

In addition to the current exhibition — DESIGN AND VIOLENCE — which will run until 22nd January next year, Science Gallery Dublin will announce three new compelling themes to run in 2017:

● In February, HUMANS NEED NOT APPLY will examine automation and the rise of robots and artificial intelligence.

● MAKE NOISE, opening in June, will be an interactive show where visitors will become performers alongside hackers, designers and scientists, inventing new instruments, new sounds and scores.

● In September, COLLAPSE will examine what fascinates us about societies, ecosystems, and economies crashing, and why the catastrophic can be devilishly entertaining.

Commenting on next year’s plans, Director of Science Gallery Dublin, Lynn Scarff, said in 2017 Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin will “continue to create compelling experiences designed to provoke conversation, engaging with a wide-ranging community of individuals from different backgrounds, perspectives and expertise”.

“This year, we are planning more activities to reach beyond our building and engage with audiences locally, nationally and globally. More than ever, we believe we need to demonstrate how the merging of art and science within cultural practice can provide a platform for conversation and greater understanding — and be a safe space to try on potential futures,” Lynn added.

Science Gallery Dublin’s programme manager Ian Brunswick spoke about the development of the MAKESHOP programme ahead of the launch: "In 2017, MAKESHOP will reach more people than ever before. An extensive year-long programme of nationwide school visits, combined with offsite and onsite activities, drop-in workshops and low-cost classes will cater for the curious and creative across the country, providing a low-barrier introduction to the exciting potential of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) and the art of making."

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