This exhibition unites art and science in a captivating exploration of the quantum universe, celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Quantum science deals with the smallest particles in nature. It is bringing about a revolution in our understanding of the origins of the universe and delivering ground-breaking technology. At the forefront of quantum research are scientists from the University of Nottingham and across the country, whose pioneering work has established both the university and the UK as centres of excellence in this fast-evolving field.
The exhibition features new commissions by nine artists who have each spent time working alongside world-leading researchers in quantum physics. Through immersive sculptural installations and photography, they give expression to the excitement, wonder and poetry of cutting-edge scientific discovery that is transforming our future.
The exhibition has been curated by Professor Silke Weinfurtner in the School of Mathematical Sciences – whose pioneering work in the field of black hole simulations remains unrivalled, Dr Ulrike Kuchner, Senior Researcher in Astronomy and Art-Science collaborations in the School of Physics and Astronomy, and Neil Walker, Head of Visual Arts Programming, Lakeside Arts, with Prof. Helen Kennedy and the Virtual & Immersive Production Studio.
Artists include Conrad Shawcross RA; Studio Above&Below; Alistair McClymont, Matthew Woodham, Monica C. LoCascio & daniela brill estrada, David Severn, Jim Grainger.
Through art and interpretive text, audio and video, this exhibition will communicate the wonder, complexity and otherworldliness of quantum science, with the pioneering research taking place at the University of Nottingham, explained and interpreted for a general audience. A public programme of talks, workshops and tours will accompany the exhibition offering audiences the opportunity to delve deeper into the artistic-scientific collaborations underpinning the exhibition. The exhibition also incorporates a public engagement area including photography by David Severn and Jim Grainger and video interviews with leading UK quantum researchers.
The exhibition has been generously supported by the following: UKRI: STFC (Science and Technologies Facilities Council), EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council), UKRI: HEIF (Higher Education Innovation Funding), SIF (Strategic Innovation Fund), APEX Award (in partnership with the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society and Leverhulme Trust), BMKÖS (Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture Austria), University of Oxford: Department of Physics, Imperial College London, QTFP (Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics) and AION (UK atom interferometer observatory and network).
Image: Conrad Shawcross with Light Cage 2024 (detail). Photo: Richard Ivey
More from this exhibitions:
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Cosmic Titans: Opening Talk
Fri 24 Jan 2025
Join us to launch our new exhibition, with an introductory talk by co-curator Dr Ulrike Kuchner and a panel of participating artists.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Theatre
The Journey to Cosmic Titans
Thu 13 Feb 2025
Hear how Cosmic Titans came about with exhibition curators and artist Alistair McClymont.
Talk
Exhibition
Angear Visitor Centre
Demonstration: Quantum Lego
Saturdays: 8 February & 8 March, Wednesdays: 26 February & 12 March
A fun demonstration exploring the world of quantum mechanics, in conjunction with our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Gallery
Cosmic Titans Gallery Tours
Thu 6 Mar – Thu 10 Apr 2025
A closer look at this exhibition with walk-through guided tours.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Dark Side of the Universe
Wed 19 Feb 2025
This talk by Prof. Edward Daw and artists Daniela Brill Estrada and Monica C. LoCascio accompanies our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Children & Families
Workshop
Performing Arts Studio
Learning Studio
Shadow and Light Workshop
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Explore space, be inspired by our Cosmic Titans exhibition then create art using shadow and light. For ages 8-12.
Children & Families
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Theatre
Deep Space
Thu 20 Feb 2025
A captivating family talk with engaging activities. For ages 7+.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Quantum Technologies
Wed 26 Feb 2025
Sir Peter Knight FRS, Imperial College London and artist duo ‘Studio Above&Below’ talk for our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Gravitational Waves and Human Choices
Wed 12 Mar 2025
Professor Thomas Sortiriou and artist Matthew Woodham uncover the nature of gravitational waves.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Recital Hall
Black Holes
Wed 19 Mar 2025
This talk by Prof. Ruth Gregory, Kings College London and artist Conrad Shawcross RA accompanies our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
The First Second of the Universe
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Cosmologist Professor Andrew Pontzen, and philosopher, Associate Professor Lina Jansson, lead this fascinating talk.
Children & Families
Workshop
Performing Arts Studio
Black Holes on Slides
Wed 9 Apr 2025
This creative workshop will use a range of media to create exciting light patterns. For ages 8+.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Cosmic Titans: Opening Talk
Fri 24 Jan 2025
Join us to launch our new exhibition, with an introductory talk by co-curator Dr Ulrike Kuchner and a panel of participating artists.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Theatre
The Journey to Cosmic Titans
Thu 13 Feb 2025
Hear how Cosmic Titans came about with exhibition curators and artist Alistair McClymont.
Talk
Exhibition
Angear Visitor Centre
Demonstration: Quantum Lego
Saturdays: 8 February & 8 March, Wednesdays: 26 February & 12 March
A fun demonstration exploring the world of quantum mechanics, in conjunction with our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Gallery
Cosmic Titans Gallery Tours
Thu 6 Mar – Thu 10 Apr 2025
A closer look at this exhibition with walk-through guided tours.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Dark Side of the Universe
Wed 19 Feb 2025
This talk by Prof. Edward Daw and artists Daniela Brill Estrada and Monica C. LoCascio accompanies our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Children & Families
Workshop
Performing Arts Studio
Learning Studio
Shadow and Light Workshop
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Explore space, be inspired by our Cosmic Titans exhibition then create art using shadow and light. For ages 8-12.
Children & Families
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Theatre
Deep Space
Thu 20 Feb 2025
A captivating family talk with engaging activities. For ages 7+.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Quantum Technologies
Wed 26 Feb 2025
Sir Peter Knight FRS, Imperial College London and artist duo ‘Studio Above&Below’ talk for our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
Gravitational Waves and Human Choices
Wed 12 Mar 2025
Professor Thomas Sortiriou and artist Matthew Woodham uncover the nature of gravitational waves.
Talk
Exhibition
Djanogly Recital Hall
Black Holes
Wed 19 Mar 2025
This talk by Prof. Ruth Gregory, Kings College London and artist Conrad Shawcross RA accompanies our Cosmic Titans exhibition.
Talk
Exhibition
Arts Lecture Theatre
The First Second of the Universe
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Cosmologist Professor Andrew Pontzen, and philosopher, Associate Professor Lina Jansson, lead this fascinating talk.
Children & Families
Workshop
Performing Arts Studio
Black Holes on Slides
Wed 9 Apr 2025
This creative workshop will use a range of media to create exciting light patterns. For ages 8+.
The University of Nottingham is part of the Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics (QTFP) programme – a £40m Strategic Priorities Fund programme that aims to transform our approach to understanding the universe and its evolution. The University of Nottingham is a recipient of one of 24 awards made since 2020 (the University of Nottingham was one of the original seven projects funded). Professor Silke Weinfurtner is the principal investigator at Nottingham of the funded project Quantum Simulators for Fundamental Physics (QSimFP) which explores essential processes linked to the dynamics of the early universe and black holes through analogue quantum simulations. Dr Ulrike Kuchner is a pioneer in the research on the collaboration of art and science and co-leads the global ArtScience collective SEADS (Space Ecologies Art and Design), alongside fundamental research in Astrophysics.
Exhibition Audio Descriptions
Ringdown by Conrad Shawcross
The Blind Proliferation by Conrad Shawcross
An Early Universe by Alistair McClymont
Superdecision by Matthew Woodham
Quantum Lens by Studio Above&Below
Begriff des Körpers by Daniela Brill Estrada_Monica C. LoCascio