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Nonacademic

Besides my research on exoplanets, I do several projects outside of the University institution. Some projects, however, are clearly motivated by my thoughts about extrasolar worlds.

Here is a selection of my recent projects.

Lectures & Workshops

I have given lectures for diverse audiences in natural science and art. Here, I reveal the ones that were meant for the art & design audience:

I gave my lecture Introduction to Life on Earth, Astrobiology & the Diversity of Planets at ZHdK. The workshop Performance Stage - Performance Space: COSMIC SOUP / SPACE STAGE was done for the art performance class of HKB, and my workshop on Planetary Thinking was done for HyperWerk Basel.

ZHDK lecture

HyperWerk

Lecture performance

I have given my first solo lecture performance at the Vorarlberger Landestheater in Bregenz (AU), Dec 2021. The performance connects art & science in a journey through my own philosophy and spirituality, which I closely link to planets & the Universe.

Vorarlberger Landestheater

Panels

From 22 September 2023 to 14 January 2024, the Kunsthaus Zürich is staging a major exhibition exploring the intellectual history of TIME, its measurement, and time as subjective experience. Serving on this panel about TIME is MONEY was very enjoyable. Catherine Hug brilliantly moderated this panel with Professors Anna Elsner and Jamie Gloor (University of St. Gallen).

Space Spells

Image: Florian Schweizer

In 2021, we explored democracy in outer space, surprising exoplanets, and extreme space weather events. We guided our audience to create their own outer-space setting & character and together engaged in surrealist writing encounters.

Space Spells was done in collaboration with:

Yris Apsit

LitUp!

Diana Gamborini

Astronomy on Tap

Image: Thibaut Roger

Astronomy on Tap (AoT) - talks about astronomy in a local bar - is a format that was invented 2013 in New York. In Switzerland this exists, too! The organizers from the University of Bern invited some astrophysicists for the 5th AoT and celebrated the international day of women in science. I was speaking there, too.

Radio RaBe 

Astronomy on Tap

Interdisciplinary Space Station

Image: Kunsthalle Zurich

Together with LitUp!, we have created an Interdisciplinary Space Station during the science festival 100 ways of thinking of the University of Zürich at the Kunsthalle of the Löwenbräu-Areal. We have created and explored far away worlds and planets with our collective expertise in politics, philosophy, astronomy, poetry, human being..

Kunsthalle Zürich

LitUp!

Ouverture dans la nuit

Image: Nelly Rodriguez

The artists of mercimax invite for a travel around the Sun. On our journey, I am sharing my views on the nightsky. During our travel, we encounter the four seasons and wander through the starry night, and enjoy the attractions of the finite world.

mercimax

2018 & 2019

2017

Training & Lost_INN

Image: hoelb/hoeb

I am very thankful to the artist duo hoelb/hoeb. They are such an inspirational source for me. In 2016 and 2017, I had the pleasure to take part in two of their projects: Training and LOST_INN.

hoelb/hoeb offer visitors surprising new perspective with their experimental arrangements and dare to elucidate our understandings of charity, care, and humanity.

LOST_INN

Unort of Zürich 2017

Image: Stefan Scheidegger

Together with LitUp! and ResPublik, we asked the public to vote for the Unort (non-place) of Zurich 2017.

What is an Unort?

Each individual nomination offers its own answer to this question: what does the Un- stand for? And declares Un- always something bad? The winning Unort illustrates the most convincing concept for aptitudes and inaptitudes of Zurich’s urban planning.

Unort on LitUp

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Readings

I did some readings with Adrian Naef for his book Die Städter. In his book, his younger self and his present self wonder about turns and curiosities in life. I am a big fan of his literature. Definitely check out his poems!

Adrian Naef