The cosmos has long inspired our imaginations ― fueling research, reflection, and creative response. Through exhibitions, performances, public conversations, and courses, Imagining the Universe will bring together scientists, artists, and humanists to explore the nature of the universe. Organized by an interdisciplinary consortium drawing on departments and programs from across the university, this year-long project reflects Stanford University’s commitment to campus-wide connections among the sciences and arts.
The goals of this project are to find and develop points of contact and connection among these different approaches, to deepen our understanding and appreciation for the richness of the universe, and to appreciate what we can learn about ourselves from the way we depict our cosmos. Through a related set of events and programs, the project will aim to engage multiple audiences: Stanford undergraduates and graduate students, specialists in relevant fields, and the broader community.
All public conversations are free and open to all.
“Another Look” Book Club | October 27, 2014
Hosted by the Dept. of English, Creative Writing Program
Levinthal Hall, Stanford Humanities Center
7:30 PM
Tracy K. Smith | October 28, 2014
Presented in partnership with San Jose State University’s Center for Literary Arts
Language Corner, Pigott Hall, Rm 113
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Dr. Mae Jemison | December 3, 2014
CEMEX Auditorium
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Alyson Shotz | January 22, 2015
Cantor Auditorium
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Matthew Ritchie | February 26, 2015
Cantor Auditorium
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
LIU Kuo-sung, Artist | March 4, 2015
Echoes Of Art And Science: Creative Explorations Of The Universe
Hosted by the Department of Physics, Stanford Global Studies, and the Center for East Asian Studies
Cubberley Auditorium
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Leonardo Art/Science Evening Rendezvous | March 18, 2015
Alway M106
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Andrei Linde | April 21, 2015
Cubberley Auditorium
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Performances
Chris Chafe, Director of CCRMA (celletto – electric cello)
International Broadcast Event
CCRMA Stage, The Knoll
Gustav Holst’s The Planets | January 30 and 31, 2015
Stanford Symphony Orchestra
Bing Concert Hall
Cosmic Reflection | May 16 and 17, 2015
Stanford Symphony Orchestra
Bing Concert Hall
Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo | May 15 – 16, 2015
Staged Reading
Department of Theater & Performance Studies
Lathrop Hall Rm. 282
Exhibition
Loose in Some Real Tropics: Robert Rauschenberg’s “Stoned Moon” Project, 1969-70
December 20, 2014 to March 16, 2015 | Cantor Arts Center
Stanford Student Courses
The following are affiliated courses for current Stanford students:
Winter Quarter Course
“Thinking About the Universe: What do we know? How do we know it?,” a Thinking Matters freshman introductory course taught by Peter Graham (Physics), Peter Michelson (Physics) and Thomas Ryckman (Philosophy).
All Events by Date
OCTOBER
October 28, 2014 | Tracy K. Smith
Language Corner. Pigott Hall, Rm 113
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
NOVEMBER
November 21, 2014 | Imagining the Universe from Music, Spirituality and Tradition concert organized by CCRMA.
DECEMBER
December 3, 2014 | Dr. Mae Jemison
CEMEX Auditorium
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Dec. 24, 2014 to March 15, 2015 | An exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center, “Loose in Some Real Tropics”: Robert Rauschenberg’s “Stoned Moon” Project 1969-70
JANUARY
January 19 – 30, 2015 | A residency by visiting artist Alyson Shotz
January 22, 2015 | Alyson Shotz*
Lecture/Presentation
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
January 30 and 31 | Holst’s The Planets*
Stanford Symphony Orchestra
Bing Concert Hall
Winter Quarter Course
“Thinking about the Universe: From Metaphysics and Theology to Data-Driven Science and Beyond,” a Thinking Matters freshman introductory course taught by Peter Michelson (Physics) and Thomas Ryckman (Philosophy).
FEBRUARY
February 26, 2015 | Matthew Ritchie
Cantor Auditorium
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
MARCH
March 4, 2015 | LIU Kuo-sung, Artist
Cubberley Auditorium
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
March 18, 2015 | LASER Art/Science Rendezvous*
APRIL
April 21, 2015 | Andrei Linde*
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
MAY
May 15 and 16, 2015 | Stanford Symphony Orchestra Performance of Cosmic Reflection*
Bing Concert Hall
May 15 – 16, 2015 | A staged reading of Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo presented by the Department of Theater and Performance Studies*
Lathrop Hall Rm. 282
8:00 PM
