We aren't able to prove that just yet, but we know it's out there
2018-20
Three-screen video with twelve-channel surround sound (30’00”); pencil on paper (1500x2700mm, 1200x2133mm, 1200x2133mm)
Developed as part of Collide International, a partnership programme between Arts at CERN and FACT (2016-2018), Broken Symmetries/Quantum brings together artists who aim to understand and question the physical world by navigating the shifting realities of modern science.
The underlying nature of the universe remains ever-elusive. But now, thanks to the technological and scientific breakthroughs of the last hundred years, we are more able than ever to understand the nature of this hidden realm, revealing and interpreting the symmetries which govern our existence.
This inquiry into existence has long served as an inspiration to many artists. Through scientific and artistic collaborations, this exhibition brings together ten new commissions by international artists who creatively explore questions and connections that may contribute to the understanding of the hidden world, and the impact it has on our lives.
Between 2016-2018, a group of artists were invited to CERN to advance their artistic practice by establishing a dialogue with engineers and particle physicists. The artists include Julieta Aranda (MX/DE), Diann Bauer (US/UK), James Bridle (UK/GR), Juan Cortés (CO), hrm199 (Haroon Mirza and Jack Jelfs) (UK), Yunchul Kim (SK), Lea Porsager (DK), Semiconductor (UK), Yu-Chen Wang (TW/UK) and Suzanne Treister (UK).
Curated by Mónica Bello and José-Carlos Mariátegui, the programme is co-produced by the ScANNER Network, consisting of: FACT (Liverpool), CCCB (Barcelona), iMAL (Brussels), Le Lieu Unique (Nantes) and Arts at CERN (Geneva).
Arts at CERN
22 Nov 2018 - 3 Mar 2019
FACT, Liverpool
10 Apr - 24 Sep 2019
CCCB, Barcelona
Quantum: In Search of the Invisible
5 Mar - 16 Aug 2020
iMAL, Brussels
14 Mar - 31 May 2020
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung
30 Oct 2020 - 21 Feb 2021
Kumu, Tallinn
Quantum: The Art of the Invisible
Autumn 2021
Le Lieu Unique, Nantes
Yu-Chen Wang’s work develops a poetic narrative that reflects on the recent history of experimental particle physics: establishing parallel lines between her drawing of hybridised apparatus, meetings with physicists and scientific documents found in the archives. Comprising multilayered imageries and voices, We aren’t able to prove that just yet... is a collage of history and fiction, documentation and interpretation.
This work takes the 60’s Bubble Chamber pictures as a starting point for an artistic and scientific exploration. The artist is fascinated not only by these beautiful patterns and abstract photographs revealing subatomic particles that aren’t visible to the naked eye, but also the whole associate process and various individuals involved in building experiments and conducting research.
A particular interest in the making and interpreting scientific images becomes a focal point for her work, as well as the technological transformation of scientific instruments from image to data, from visual accounts to statistical significance.
Wang’s installation incorporates the interpretation of these diverse elements into an immersive audio-visual ensemble—her own personal journey of exploration in art and science. She ponders on philosophical questions around scientific truth, the limits of knowledge; how we understand and communicate science and make progress.
This work was developed as part of the Collide International Award, a partnership programme between Arts at CERN and FACT, and was co-produced by ScANNER. Supported by Arts Council England, National Culture and Arts Foundation, Taiwan and Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Government.
Voiceover: Helen Arney, sound design: Capitol K, camera: Marion Neumann. With thanks to scientists: Maria Fidecaro (CERN), Michael Doser (CERN), James Beacham (ATLAS), Mike Houlden (University of Liverpool), Tara Shears (LHCb), Jon Butterworth (ATLAS), Andy Newsam (Liverpool John Moores University) and Chia-Ming Kuo (CMS) and Kai-Feng Chen (CMS). Archive documentation courtesy of CERN, University of Liverpool and Mike Houlden.