Media release: Emergence: an artistic exploration of quantum science
Explore the intersection of art and science at Emergence, running 29 June to 3 July at m2 Gallery, Surry Hills.
Organised by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS), Emergence is a showcase of the entries to the 2022 EQUS Quantum Art Competition.
The exhibition consists of 34 artworks, including the winner, runner-up and all the finalists, all created under the competition theme of ‘emergence’:
Quantum physics tells us that our world, at the fundamental level, is alien to our intuitive reality in many ways—exactly how our intuitive world emerges from the strange quantum world is one of the biggest mysteries of modern physics.
Voting for the People’s Choice Prize is open until 7 July, so exhibition visitors can have their say!
EQUS scientists and science communicators will be present throughout the exhibition, happy to chat about all things quantum and quantum art.
The winning entry, a kinetic installation by Bori Benkő, explores the fascinating phenomenon of the moiré interference pattern and how it could relate to the overlapping of human mental, emotional and physical vibrational patterns.
Bori said that art and quantum physics are two very complex realms and approaches to human inquiry about the world.
“When done successfully, they can influence us to see the world in a different light; can change our fundamental truths,” she said.
The runner-up, a watercolour by Sandy Lidgett, was inspired by the artist’s background in biochemistry and experiments with the emergence of shapes dictated by other shapes around them.
EQUS (https://equs.org) is a national research centre funded by the Australian Research Council. The Centre is engineering the quantum future by building quantum machines that harness the quantum world for practical applications. In addition to undertaking world-leading research, EQUS runs various outreach initiatives, such as the Quantum Art Competition, designed to engage the public in quantum and its potential for our future.
Exhibition details:
When: The exhibition is open to the public daily from 29 June to 3 July:
- 29 June: 10:00 am–4:30 pm
- 30 June to 3 July: 10:00 am–5:30 pm
- Opening night (sold out): 29 June, 6:30–9:00 pm
Where: m2 Gallery, 450 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills 2010 NSW
Cost: Entry to the exhibition is free; tickets for the opening night are sold out
m2 Gallery website link: https://m2gallery.com.au/Exhibitions/tabid/87/listid/306/Default.aspx
People’s Choice Prize voting link: https://equs.org/peoples-choice-quantum-art-2022
More information about the exhibition is available at https://equs.org/events/quantum-art-exhibition.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Event organiser and quantum physicist Ben McAllister is available for interview (ben.mcallister@uwa.edu.au).
Contact Kristen Harley on k.harley@uq.edu.au to arrange an interview or photo opportunity.
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.