In Perm, researchers and artists joined forces to explore the adaptation of Solaris, a novel by the renowned Polish futurist Stanisław Lem. The project emerged as a collaborative venture among the NTI Photonics Perm Competence Center, the local Polytechnic University, a research and manufacturing firm, and the city’s Theater-Theatre. This alliance mirrors a broader push to merge science and stagecraft in bold, tangible ways that audiences can experience rather than merely read about.
The story of Solaris centers on a planet entirely engulfed by oceans. In the original narrative, psychologist Chris Kelvin travels to a space station orbiting this elusive world, where the oceans seem to carry memories and questions that haunt the crew. To translate these themes into a live performance, the production team leaned on Photonics technology—lasers, projectors, and controlled fog—to craft a space that could shift from vast, unending space to intimate, cyclical forms, depending on the moment. The stage designer described the creative aim as using light and projection to stretch space itself, creating an atmosphere that feels both infinite and intimate at once.
The artistic leader explained that the project treats art and science as partners rather than rivals. The collaboration began with a clear sense that Perm’s theater community could experiment at the intersection of disciplines. Scientists contributed ideas during the development phase while allowing the artistic team to steer the narrative and visual direction. The result is a performance that honors Lem’s scientific sensibility while pushing the boundaries of stage technology to reveal new ways of seeing and feeling the story.
The NTI Photonics center in Perm has long sought to demonstrate how photonics can illuminate everyday life for the public. According to the center’s leadership, the goal is to present photonics not as abstract theory but as a visible, practical force with aesthetic power. They believe Solaris aligns perfectly with this mission because the novel is widely regarded as a scientifically inspired text that probes perception, memory, and the limits of human understanding. The collaboration offers a chance to reveal the beauty of advanced optics and light-based storytelling, showing how technology can enrich narrative experience without overpowering it.
Looking ahead, the production is slated to remain on the Theater-Theatre stage for several seasons, inviting new audiences to engage with a science-forward approach to drama. In addition to Solaris, the team is exploring another ambitious project that blends theatrical storytelling with scientific visualization, including adaptations of classics like Alice in Wonderland. These endeavors demonstrate a continuing commitment to cross-disciplinary exploration, inviting spectators to see technology as a partner in art rather than merely a tool.
Recent announcements have highlighted the ongoing momentum of this creative program in Perm, pointing to a vibrant culture where researchers, engineers, and theatre artists exchange ideas, test boundaries, and share discoveries. The cross-pollination has produced a distinctive voice for the city—one that treats scientific inquiry as a living, dramatic force and treats performance as a laboratory where experiments in perception and experience can unfold before an audience.