Science and Design Prototyping Exhibition at the Copernicus Science Centre

This showcase at the Copernicus Science Centre features innovative prototypes that merge scientific phenomena with artistic design. Visitors have the opportunity to engage with works-in-progress, such as the 'Photopolychromy' light installation, providing crucial feedback to designers as they refine these interactive exhibits.

The Copernicus Science Centre is opening its design process to the public, showcasing prototypes that push the boundaries between physics and art. This initiative focuses on how exhibits are constructed, from initial concepts and material selection to the complex fine-tuning that occurs only after visitors begin to interact with the works. By placing these nearly finished installations in the galleries, the centre allows designers to observe how the public engages with mechanics, visual effects, and environmental factors, transforming the gallery space into a living laboratory. Two primary exhibits anchor this exploration: 'Photopolychromy', which uses polarizing filters to create shifting, non-digital color projections that change with the viewer's movement, and 'Soap Mirror', a large-scale thin-film interference display. Through these interactive pieces, the institution continues its tradition of exhibit development inspired by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, emphasizing curiosity-driven discovery over rote explanation. Visitors are invited to observe, interact, and provide input, effectively becoming co-creators in the final refinement of these scientific experiences.

Access to the exhibitions is included with a general admission ticket to the Copernicus Science Centre. Visitors are encouraged to subscribe to the centre's newsletter for information regarding upcoming meetings with the exhibition creators.