The Thing About Wonder is a research-creation project that explores the potential of immersive installation art to invite sustained experiences of wonder. Working within the intersection of science and art, the project draws from cosmology, contemporary arts, curatorial practices, aesthetic theory and affect theory. Drawing on philosophical and psychological frameworks, this thesis develops a working definition of wonder as a personal, subjective, and aesthetic experience, with an impulse to be shared. These theoretical strands, in conjunction with empirical research, inform the creation of an immersive, interactive, light exhibit titled All the Light Reveals. Drawing on Carl Sagan’s ideas on the cosmic perspective, the works invite viewers to consider their material relationship to the universe and to reflect on their place within its vast and intricate systems. Methodologically, the project combines studio experimentation with audience-based research, including two focus group sessions and observational analysis conducted during the exhibition, and a post-exhibition survey. Qualitative analysis of research findings suggests that participants engaged with the installations through playful exploration, displaying immediate affective responses and sustained interactions.

Keywords: wonder, immersive installation, cosmology, light, interconnectedness, research-creation, aesthetic theory, affect theory.