For The Curious!

And here, finally: my ‘thank you’ and ‘farewell’ to the Exploratorium. After spending two wonderful months there on placement and engaging with staff, volunteers and members of the public, I felt inspired to create this piece. Enjoy.

For The Curious (A Tribute to the Exploratorium)
Clickable lyrics

Existence, I ponder
Not of I
But of everything
And beyond the mind’s eye
While not alone in this
Some just pass it by
Scooting along the Bay’s edge
But intrigue crosses the street
Unshaken, unhedged
Intrigued I follow

Come closer, what is this sound?
Palpable with intellect?
Still closer, hear more
So it becomes clearer to detect
Entropic chorus
“For The Curious!”
A cry heard, with feet on the ground
But heads in the sky with
Loose cannons, wizards and artists abound
Not a Cheshire in their smile
But it is magic they create
With phenomenal force
Inspiring personal exploration where
Understanding sets course

One may well feel swamped
But never fear
Orange-vested heroes of science
Will guide you as a peer
For they are just like you and me
Committed to curiosity
Let their vibrancy help you explore
Let their joy rub off on you
For they are the Curious Corp
What will it be, then?
Light seen and unseen?
Nature? Biology? The Human condition?
Or maybe Electricity? Sound? Movement?
Embark on your own curious mission

As you do Frank will forever look on
With a smile on his face
From the workshop which creates
Without altering pace
This creativity is not out-of-bounds for you
So, tinker tinker!
Create, fix, improve
And do it all again and you’ll
Find your own groove
After all
Reality guides the journey
And this journey is to be shared
From generation to generation
So no-one is spared

Oh San Francisco, we gaze
Through glass at your macroscale exhibit
So dynamic from here
Although your foundations inhibit
My curious reflection front and back
About-turn I face
To natural rhythms sway
East to Oakland
Take time, take time, to Observe the Bay
For this was my playground
Augmented reality
The bigger picture you will see
Your eyes and tech combine
Naturally, locally, willingly
So come and not forget
The place at the end of the pier
A dynamic space to commune
Don’t miss out on Gallery 6
And to your Bay, attune

Upstairs, aloft in offices of glass
Driving it all behind the scenes
Teaching, outreach, research
Teams full of beans
As the ideas never stop
In kaleidoscope of showcase
How about a bit of Pi?
Oh, don’t forget the technical upkeep
Ensuring curiosity is never shy
The ideas never sleep
After Dark, event after event
They’ll move the proverbial earth
Inviting academics and community together
So you’ll see our Home for all it’s worth

Is this all so shocking?
Is this all so surreal?
Not For The Curious
For whom it’s a sweet deal
A deal that will never expire
So perhaps it is not surprising at the end of the day
Those who leave are intent on coming back
They’ve found a gift that just keeps giving
And that’s ‘exploration’: the greatest life hack

After all this; existence, I ponder
Not of I
But of everything
And beyond the mind’s eye
While not alone in this
I’m introspective and content
Gazing from here along the Bay’s edge
Because intrigue brought me here from across the pond
To be unshaken
To be unhedged

Kit Rackley (c)2018