Weeknights at the Wagner: Art, Science, and the "Super/Natural"

Acclaimed stained glass artist Judith Schaechter will discuss her immersive installation "Super/Natural"—a luminous, three-tiered cosmos rendered in glass. The work draws on her residency at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, incorporating insights from biophilic design and the rich history of women’s contributions to botanical art. "Super/Natural" reimagines nature as a space of awe and contemplation, inviting viewers into a renewed sense of wonder and connection with the living world.

The daughter of renowned microbiologist Elio Schaechter, Judith will also explore the interplay between art and science. Through the lens of her own work, she will consider where these disciplines intersect, where they diverge, and whether true objectivity is even possible in a world observed from within one's own mind.

An evening lecture series, Weeknights at the Wagner, invites experts into our Victorian lecture hall to speak on a range of science and history of science related subjects. Each talk includes a Q&A with the speaker.

"Super/Natural" is on display at the Michener Art Museum through September 14th. Visit the museum to see the work and join us for a lively conversation with Judith Schaechter about the piece and the role of science and nature in her art.

Judith Schaechter lives and works in Philadelphia. Her work is collected internationally and is represented in the collections of the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Victoria and Albert in London and the Hermitage, among others. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship in 2005 and her work was in the 2002 Whitney Biennial. In 2013, Judith was inducted to the College of Fellows of the American Craft Council. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Glass Art Society in 2022 and in 2023, she was named a Smithsonian Visionary Artist.

In 2020-21, Judith’s work was the subject of a retrospective exhibition organized by the Memorial Art Gallery of Rochester, NY, which traveled to the Toledo Museum and the Des Moines Art Center.

A dream that keeps growing…

In 1855, William Wagner had a dream of providing free science education to anyone who wanted to learn, regardless of background or ability to pay. Today, the Wagner offers more programs to more people than ever before! Your support helps us provide free education, not only through the museum, but through a wide range of courses, lectures, field trips, and children’s science programs. Donations also assist us in caring for the museum and library collections and in preserving our wonderful building, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. To learn more about what we do please visit our website.

In keeping with its original charter, admission to the lecture is free—donations are suggested to ensure the future and quality of Wagner's free education programs and to preserve its National Landmark building and collections.

Suggested Donations

$10/adult

$5/student

For any questions, please email [email protected] or call 215-763-6529 x17.

If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email [email protected] or call 215-763-6529 x11.

Images:

Detail shots of "Super/Natural," stained glass dome structure. Glass designed and fabricated by Judith Schaechter (studio assistant, Konstantin Sievaplesov). Dome designed by Judith Schaechter and Patrick Murray, fabricated by Patrick Murray and Kyrue Walker.

Judith Schaechter at work. Courtesy of the artist.

Host or Publisher Wagner Free Institute of Science