Science Gallery launches three-hour event to explore the nature of grief
On April 29 Science Gallery will host an international online event, Science of Grief – a multi-dimensional exploration of loss, hope and creativity during the coronavirus crisis, featuring scientists, poets, musicians, researchers, artists, and healthcare workers.
Three members of the Science Gallery Network – Atlanta, Detroit and Dublin – are collaborating to host an international online event, Science of Grief, on April 29 from 8:30-11:30pm GMT +1 (Dublin time) / 3:30-6:30pm EDT (Detroit/Atlanta time). The event is free and accessible on Science Gallery Dublin’s YouTube page.
This event marks the third iteration of Science of Grief, an exploration of multiple forms of grief through scientific research, poetry, art and performance, which originated as a live all-night event by Science Gallery Detroit in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of the Arts, devised by poet Nastasha Miller.
Grief is a part of all our lives – but social distancing and the current pandemic have made it all the more challenging. The legacy of grief is individual, multifaceted, and varied, but in the midst of loss many find opportunities for growth: new or deepened relationships, understanding and empathy for other people's hardships, and a renewed appreciation for the positives in their lives. Our accepted ways of coming together have been interrupted, but this event offers an online space for our communities to engage in a shared exploration of grief, both personal and collective, while we remain physically apart.
Science of Grief is an annual event created by Science Gallery Detroit, one of eight Science Galleries worldwide. The latest iteration sees Science Gallery Dublin and Science Gallery Atlanta partner with Detroit to connect these three cities online during a time of change and grief for many. In response to COVID-19, the Science Gallery Network is transitioning many of its programs into the digital space. While Science Gallery is uniquely positioned in the learning and research centres of its member universities, Science of Grief aims to merge the stories of academics and creatives with the stories of the audience in a digital space for a collective moment of grief and resilience.
The virtual program will feature content from academics, researchers, scientists, healthcare workers, artists, storytellers, and musicians responding to many different kinds of grief. Legendary techno DJ John Collins will host a two hour after-party.
“We find ourselves in a unique global moment, with billions of people experiencing massive interruptions to our normal daily lives. It is a time of shock, rapid and radical change, concern for our loved ones, fear for our health, anxiety about livelihoods, and uncertainty about our future way of life. At the same time, in the history of humanity, we have never been better placed to respond to the current pandemic crisis – all our scientific, medical, engineering and knowledge systems are helping us respond faster than ever before. We are all experiencing different levels of grief as we navigate through these new circumstances, and our normal mechanisms for coping with and processing grief have been severely interrupted and curtailed.” said Andrea Bandelli.
The Science Gallery Network, pioneered by Trinity College Dublin, consists of leading universities united around a singular mission: to ignite creativity and discovery where science and art collide. The eight galleries of the Science Gallery Network are committed to bringing science, art, technology and design together to deliver world-class educational and cultural experiences for young people.