The fascination with the interplay of numbers, formulas, and sounds endures. Not only has the exhibition been updated, but MAINS itself has also undergone a transformation. Following its relocation, the station now presents a modern concept that reimagines the connection between exhibition and experience.

The exhibition is about mathematics you can hear: An interactive, hands-on lab with numerous stations for young and old alike. In collaboration with leading international researchers, IMAGINARY has created a sensory playground. Here, music is explored systematically, and mathematics is brought to life through sound. Ideal for curious minds ages 8 and up.

The exhibits include the following topics:

• From Sine Waves to Sound: Explore the vibrations behind sound. Why do some intervals sound harmonious while others feel out of tune? Why do harmonies move us? And what’s the secret behind the fact that nearly every piano is slightly “out of tune”?
• Rhythm & Geometry: Discover how complex beats emerge from mathematical rules. Watch music become visible, and let yourself be fooled by rhythms that seem to speed up infinitely.
• AI & Composition: Can an algorithm feel? Experience how artificial intelligence creates new sounds and enables you, even without prior experience, to suddenly conduct a piano concerto.
• Fascinating Short Films and 3D-Printed Objects: Music isn’t just for listening, it’s for seeing too!

Stop by and discover how much math is in your playlist!

The exhibits were developed by IMAGINARY in collaboration with renowned scientists from over ten countries. Their creation and the exhibition’s realization were made possible by funding from the Klaus Tschira Foundation, with additional support from the Technical University of Munich.

We look forward to welcoming you to the opening of our new interactive space for mathematics and computer science on October 21, 2026.