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In partnership with The Creators Project and the New York Hall of Science, Björk has brought her live “Biophilia” show to NYSCI for several performances this month. In addition to the live performances, Björk is collaborating with NYSCI on a three-week-long “Biophilia” education series. Featuring interactive science and music workshops for middle-school children, the series leads students on an intensive study of the scientific concepts at the core of “Biophilia”’s songs, including crystalline structures, lunar phases, viruses, and more. Students will also learn to use the “Biophilia” Apps as tools for music composition and delve into the study of how musicology relates to nature.

The partnership between Bjork and NYSCI is a fascinating idea, so I spoke with Dan Wempa, NYSCI’s vice president for external affairs, about how the partnership came about.

“As you know, the impetus was her new project, “Biophilia,” Wempa told me. “The content of all the songs is thematically scientific. Her intention was the tour to be in collaboration with science-education institutions. The Hall of Science has an established reputation for doing science education, especially with middle-school-age kids. Bjork got in touch with us and we went from there.”

As for the NYSCI “Biophilia”-related workshops, Wempa said that, depending on availability, there will be around 50 to 60 kids involved. Each child will participate in five days of workshops, and the workshops will be a series that will run three times.

“Bjork is not teaching the classes,” Wempa said. “But she has been involved in developing the curriculum in the workshops.” He added: “There is a music component and a science component. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

by Brendan Lemon | 2/5/12 | Leave a comment |