As part of LaboCine’s Symbiosis program, Simons Foundation scientists pair up with artists as a way to crosspollinate the two disciplines of exploration through two weeks of filmmaking. Its 11th edition saw the collision of Lieke Von Son and Kyle Finnegan. The two immediately bonded over a desire to bring humor to science and their love of observing strange, everyday interactions. The resulting film uses New York City as a way to explain Lieke’s work as a gravitational wave astronomer. Speeding subways and cooing pigeons serves as metaphors for the symphony that the universe is waiting for us to hear.

Screening the film at The Flatiron Institute gave Lieke the opportunity to advocate for her work, which has experienced dramatic funding cuts since the production of the film. The resulting conversation generated an energetic discussion about the future of gravitational wave detectors and the partnership between science and the arts.