Join us before the show for a special pre-performance reception with the artists of Eighth Blackbird and representatives from Yerkes Observatory Institute. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, meet the band, and purchase drinks available throughout the reception. The evening will also feature two brief pop-up performances offering a glimpse into the creative spirit behind the show.
The Exploration Institute is a semi-annual, research-driven micro-residency in partnership with the Yerkes Summer Research Institute, directed by Dr. Amanda Bauer.
This week-long program brings artists together with astronomers and scientists to explore the intersection of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. Each artist arrives with a guiding question and, through collaboration with researchers, develops new performance works that blend music, storytelling, and scientific exploration. The institute culminates in a 60–75-minute public presentation.
The Exploration Institute encourages deep interdisciplinary thinking, offering artists a unique and inspiring framework to expand their creative processes through scientific discovery.
We are thrilled to welcome four Blackbird Creative Lab alumni as the inaugural participants:
Molly Herron (Lab 2017)– Investigating stellar chemistry through sound.
Christian Quiñones (Lab 2023) & Noel Holloway (Lab 2023) – A duo exploring the cosmos and the divine through technology, vision, and sound.
Noelia Cruz (Lab 2023) – Creating multimedia work rooted in non-Western cosmic traditions, viewed through the lens of Ojibwe astronomy.
These artists will explore themes including the chemical makeup of stars, humanity’s relationship with the universe and the divine, and non-Western astronomical practices.
Faculty:
Dr. Amanda Bauer (Astronomy)
Lina Andonovska (Eighth Blackbird member)
Aaron Wolff (Eighth Blackbird member and Lab 2017 alum)
Garrett Obrycki (Lab Director)
Final Presentations
June 26 at Yerkes Observatory
June 27 at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, Chicago
Join us on June 27 in the Paradiso at the Athenaeum Center for an evening of music, science, and cosmic storytelling. Come learn, listen, and be inspired!
