##“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music”. – Albert Einstein.

The Museu de les Ciències is part of the ‘Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències’ (City of Arts and Sciences) is a firm favourite to report on here at ’24/7 Valencia’, as the landmark tourist attraction continually has fun and interesting exhibitions. It is located on the southeast end of the Turia park and well worth a visit if you haven’t been yet! As well as being a post-worthy photo spot, there are always plenty of things to do and see around this cultural hub, and the Museu de les Ciències is full of fascinating temporary and permanent exhibitions. Currently on view is the Play Science and Music exhibition, which ‘24/7 Valencia’ reports on below.

Many will encounter the concept of the exhibition as an unusual pairing, but as the museum points out, the sciences and the arts are far from opposites as they make up integral parts of the whole corpus of our culture. Arts and sciences are constantly in dialogue with each other, and mutually influence the creations and discoveries found across various fields. Music is a great example of the colliding worlds of science and art, and you will see this at the Play Science and Music exhibition. It has been produced by the “Parque de las Ciencias de Granada” in collaboration with the “Museo Interactivo de la Música de Málaga” (MIMMA) to bring you an immersive experience into the world of music from various perspectives such as history, anthropology, science and education.

Play Science and Music can be found in the main exhibition enclosures on the first floor of the science museum just besides the Memoria exhibition that is showing in the open space. Play Science and Music spans across several large rooms, and visitors are greeted on entrance to a circular screen of dancing lines offering a live spectrogram of surrounding sonic frequencies. The fun, theatrical lighting continues throughout the exhibition, accompanied by other audio and visual elements that create an immersive mood for learning and experiencing the various objects, videos, instruments, and more within the space.

A large historic collection of musical instruments is displayed in thematic categories, alongside information on key scientific figures related to their development and the science of sound behind the instruments. There are areas with interactive experiences related to the creative and cognitive processes of music, as well as multimedia experiences such as video installations and interactive displays. Visitors are invited to consider interesting questions in this ‘exhibition full of surprises’: How much talent and technology are required to play music using a mechanical machine? Can we see sound waves? Is there music in a vacuum? The answers to these questions and many more can be found inside this exhibition.

It is difficult to get bored in this exhibition, and there is something fun and educational for everyone regardless of age or existing knowledge on science and music. Those visiting with children will find educational workshops for kids and get a chance to make sounds through various media, including trying out drums and guitars. On my visit for ‘24/7 Valencia’, children and adults alike could be found playing and having fun in the various ‘hands-on’ areas; you may have to wait your turn or queue up a short while for some of the more popular activities, but there’s plenty to do and see if an area is occupied. Expect to see vocal cords in action, have a go at setting the tempo of an orchestra, compose and perform with different string and percussion instruments, or play a virtual harp.

A visit to ‘Play Science and Music’ is an opportunity to understand and feel a shared passion for music and science in an extensive and engaging exhibition, brought to the public in collaboration with the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The sophisticated design and arrangement of the entire exhibition can be seen throughout, with simultaneously exciting and educational displays to be seen, heard, and played. Whether you are going on a family day out, a trip with friends, a date, or just to explore on your own, let us recommend this amazing exhibition. Play Science and Music is showing now so make sure you don’t miss it on your next visit to the city of arts and sciences.

Find it at:
Museu de les Ciències
Avda. del Professor López Piñero (Historiador de la Medicina) nº 7
46013
València.

Tickets and further information to plan your visit can be found on their website:
https://www.cac.es/en/home.html#

Report & photos by Jackie Lui

Article & photos copyright Jackie Lui / 24/7 Valencia