The National Graphene Institute team up with Brighter Sound to celebrate women in art and science

From music made by robots to a spectacular tribute to an unsung heroine, The Hexagon Experiment brings together women at the forefront of music, art and science.

Taking place across six Friday evenings in Newcastle and Gateshead this summer as part of the Great Exhibition of the North, The Hexagon Experiment will feature live music, conversations and original commissions from some of the North’s most exciting musicians and scientists including Jane Weaver, Anna Meredith, Stealing Sheep and Haiku Salut, with a special guest appearance from Lauren Laverne.

The Hexagon Experiment draws inspiration from the creativity of Professor Andre Geim and Professor Kostya Novoselov, who isolated graphene for the first time at The University of Manchester.

In partnership with Brighter Sound, The Hexagon Experiment will bring together musicians, artists and scientists in a celebration of creative discovery, and provide a vehicle for discussion on gender equality in their respective fields.

Graphene is the world’s first two-dimensional material, many more times stronger than steel, lightweight, flexible, transparent and more conductive than copper.

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The parallels between women in music, art and science are astonishing similar. This project is important to celebrate the work done by women in both fields. It is great to see the partnership with Brighter Sound continue and develop to explore other themes.

Professor Cinzia Casiraghi, Professor in Nanoscience

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The six events are:

Sounds Of The Cosmos Friday, 3 August. 6-9pm Cluny 2, Newcastle

We Are The Robots Friday, 10 August. 6-9pm Centre for Life, Newcastle

Adventures in Flatland Friday, 17 August. 6-9pm Great North Museum, Newcastle

Making Waves Friday, 24 August. 6-9pm Sage Gateshead

Wow Machine Friday, 31 August. 6-9pm Boiler Shop, Newcastle

Works in Progress Friday, 7 September. 6-9pm Cobalt, Newcastle

The six events are free but registering is recommended. Find out more: https://www.brightersound.com/the-hexagon-experiment/

This is the second project the National Graphene Institute (NGI) has partnered with Brighter Sound. In 2015 composer Sara Lowes collaborated with Professor Cinzia Casiraghi to produce Graphene Suite. A six part composition inspired by graphene.

Professor Cinzia Casiraghi who is involved with The Hexagon Experiment said: “The parallels between women in music, art and science are astonishing similar. This project is important to celebrate the work done by women in both fields. It is great to see the partnership with Brighter Sound continue and develop to explore other themes.”

The Hexagon Experiment is part of Both Sides Now – a three-year initiative to support, inspire and showcase women in music across the North of England, supported through Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence fund.

Brighter Sound is a creative music charity based in the North of England and working across the UK. Our activity changes the lives of individuals through music, supports and promotes diverse talent and acts as a catalyst for change in the music industry.

Great Exhibition of the North is a free, summer-long celebration of the North of England’s pioneering spirit and runs from 22 June- 9 September 2018.