Sing for Science: Laurie Anderson & Dr. Zia Mian on the Science of Disarmament

As the final event held in conjunction with the exhibition Fallout: Atoms for War & Peace, Poster House is thrilled to partner with Sing for Science to host the groundbreaking artist and activist Laurie Anderson in conversation with nuclear weapons and policy expert Dr. Zia Mian. Together, they’ll explore how scientists and advocates work to prevent the spread and use of nuclear weapons—and how artistic voices like Anderson’s have shaped the cultural imagination around disarmament. 

Drawing from Anderson’s seminal 1982 album Big Science, the conversation will explore how that work anticipated many of the tensions of the nuclear age and continues to resonate in today’s disarmament discourse. Moderated by Sing For Science host Matt Whyte, this intimate conversation invites guests to consider how creative and scientific communities can work together in pursuit of peace.

Doors open at 6:30pm. There is no reserved seating. Refreshments will be available to purchase before and after the event. 

Laurie Anderson is a trailblazing American avant-garde artist, composer, and performance pioneer whose creativity bridges music, visual art, film, and technology.Trained in classical violin from age five, she later shifted her focus to art and performance, earning a B.A. from Barnard (1969) and an M.F.A. from Columbia (1972). Anderson emerged in the 1970s NYC art scene with daring, language- and tech-driven works. Her 1981 hit single “O Superman” reached No. 2 in the UK in 1981 and launched her recording career with the acclaimed album Big Science  Over her five-decade career, she’s released multimedia shows (United States I–V, Songs and Stories for Moby Dick), feature-film soundtracks (including Home of the Brave, Life on a String), authored books, and created installations showcased in major museums worldwide.

Zia Mian is a distinguished Pakistani-American physicist and global-security expert based at Princeton University, where he co-directs the Program on Science and Global Security in the School of Public and International Affairs  A graduate of Newcastle University, he specializes in nuclear arms control, non‑proliferation, disarmament, and regional security—especially in South Asia . Mian is co-editor of the journal Science & Global Security, co-chair of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, and co-founder of the Physicists Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction . His public-impact work includes two documentary films on nuclear issues in South Asia, numerous scholarly books and articles, and high-level service: he’s served on the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters and been awarded the Linus Pauling Legacy Award (2014), Leo Szilard Lectureship (2019), and APS Fellowship (2021).

Sing for Science is an award-winning, top 10 music interview podcast on Apple Podcasts that features musicians exploring scientific topics in conversation with experts. Past episodes have featured Korn front man Jonathan Davis and author Mary Roach discussing mortuary science; Sia and sex therapist Alex Katehakis on attachment theory; and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo with Python creator Guido van Rossum on coding—among many others that connect science-curious music fans to thought-provoking topics. The show is hosted by New York musician Matt Whyte, whose credits include composing for Netflix’s Tiger King and Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, as well as fronting the mid-aughts band Earl Greyhound. Inspired by performing in a Pete Seeger memorial concert at Joe’s Pub in New York City, Matt created the podcast to continue Seeger’s legacy of using music to engage with the world’s most pressing issues.

Accessibility Note: Masks and clear masks are available free of charge at the museum. Assistive listening devices and stools are available. ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) is also available upon request. Please contact access@posterhouse.org or (914) 295-2387 to request interpretation services and to address any other accessibility needs. For other event-related questions, please contact info@posterhouse.org.