Science & Wine: Conversations on Light, Time and the Universe

Round off the week with a drink while learning something new. Meet the curator and artists behind the current exhibition “Light Echoes” as they join scientists in exploring how light shapes our understanding of time as a dimension. Afterwards, head to the top of the Round Tower and enjoy the low evening sun over the city.

The exhibition “Light Echoes”, which explores complex astrophysical phenomena through four art installations, opens on Friday 2 October in the Round Tower’s beautiful Library Hall. That same afternoon, we have invited the artists and researchers behind the exhibition to discuss one of its central ideas: how the relationship between light and time shapes our understanding of cosmic phenomena.

We use light and time not only to understand the Universe; they are also tools for observing and investigating the world around us. This is precisely why light and time can create connections between art and science. In astrophysics, light allows us to observe events across vast distances and look far back into the past. In art, light can become material, experience and trace – and a way of exploring how we perceive and experience the world. In different ways, both art and science use light to connect what we can see with what lies beyond our direct reach.

Where Art Meets Science

This Friday afternoon, round off the working week in the best possible way – with a glass of sparkling wine (or something else) in hand while listening to a panel explore how different artistic and scientific approaches to light and time can open up new perspectives and ways of thinking across disciplines.

The exhibition is curated by Irene Campolmi, curator and co-founder of Yonder | Art•Science | Niels Bohr Institute, and presents works by Jo Verwohlt and Pieter Maria Steyaert, Lea Porsager, Ligia Bouton and artist duo Semiconductor. All the artists took part in Yonder | Art•Science’s residency programme in 2025–2026. Yonder | Art•Science is a platform for collaboration between art and science at the Niels Bohr Institute.

Programme

4.30 pm
Welcome drink

4.45 pm
Introduction by Ditte Marie Lund, Head of Programme and Exhibitions at the Round Tower, and exhibition curator Irene Campolmi

5–6 pm
Panel discussion with artists and researchers from DARK at the Niels Bohr Institute who contributed to the exhibition, moderated by Irene Campolmi:

• Artist Lea Porsager in conversation with Jens Hjorth, Professor of Astrophysics and Co-founder of Yonder | Art•Science | Niels Bohr Institute
• Artist duo Semiconductor in conversation with Steen Harle Hansen, Professor of Astrophysics at the Niels Bohr Institute, and William Baker, Postdoctoral Researcher in Astrophysics
• Artists and scientists Jo Verwohlt and Pieter Maria Steyaert
• Artist Ligia Bouton in conversation with Judit Prat and Clara Ferreira Cores, interdisciplinary researchers and astrophysicists from Yonder | Art•Science | Niels Bohr Institute

Semiconductor will also present excerpts from their installation “Light in Flight”.

Please note: The panel discussion will be in English.

6–6.30 pm
Drinks and conversation, with the opportunity to visit the top of the tower

Good to know

Before and after the programme, guests can explore the Round Tower’s year-long exhibition on Ole Rømer, which introduces LIGHT YEAR 2026 – marking the 350th anniversary of Rømer’s discovery that light has a finite speed – as well as the newly opened special exhibition “Light Echoes”.

Guests can also make their way to the top of the tower and enjoy the 360-degree views of Copenhagen from the viewing platform.

The Round Tower offers a complimentary glass of wine on arrival. Additional drinks will be available to purchase during the event.