As a collaborative initiative between EPFL’s Laboratory for Experimental Museology (eM+) and the Laboratory of Astrophysics, the exhibition was first brought to China by Swissnex in China, with significant contributions from Tsinghua University. As one of Europe’s most dynamic research institutions, EPFL is also a key hub for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Divided into four sections – ‘Instruments and Techniques: Mapping the Universe’, ‘The Starry Sky of Big Data’, ‘Sustainable Space’, and ‘The Future: Planetary Journeys’ – the exhibition integrates scientific exploration with artistic interpretation, transforming real, fragmented and abstract cosmic data into immersive experiences through digital installations, interactive exhibits, kinetic sculptures and visionary design. These exhibits embrace reflections on humanity’s relationship with Earth and the cosmos, transform cosmic data and imagery through visual inquiry, and probe solutions for space debris mitigation and future off-world survival. Beyond their conceptual scope, they exemplify the fruitful outcomes of transnational and interdisciplinary scientific collaboration defining contemporary research, weaving together a historical narrative of human cosmic exploration across multiple dimensions.
At the opening, Ambassador Burri remarked: ‘This is a meaningful year. It is the 75th year of our diplomatic relations. We wanted to present an exhibition in China that truly represents Switzerland. The first words that came to my mind were innovation, science, technology, and art. In an era profoundly shaped by data, algorithms, and the challenges of sustainability, ‘Cosmos Archaeology’ is a thought-provoking exhibition. It demonstrates how science and technology extend the boundaries of human knowledge, while art reinterprets our perception of the universe.’
This is the first Swiss exhibition held at the new NMC since its opening and marks a highlight in the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China. It reflects the deepening cooperation between the two countries in culture, science, innovation, and sustainability.
The anniversary celebrations began with the opening of the Swiss Chalet at Beijing’s Houhai Lake earlier this year, followed by Switzerland’s role as Country of Honour at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival. The ‘Cosmos Archaeology’ exhibition now brings the commemorative events to a peak. The exhibition will be open to the public from July 3 until October 12. We warmly invite you to embark on this journey through 13.8 billion years of cosmic history.
