Inspiring creative art-science works through the use of challenges

Queen Mary's School of Physics & Astronomy has a history of collaborating with artists, inspiring them to create works of art that reflect current research physics. To elicit a wide variety of creative responses we have employed, via existing external artistic networks and organisations, the use of public calls, common within the artistic work, using very open briefs. We highlight two recent art-science projects that have taken this approach.

In the first project, we invited sculptors to the department setting up numerous dialogues between artists and scientists. Based on these conversations, a number of prototype designs were proposed for permanent exhibition within the building. The finally commissioned piece consists of seven glass spheres with complex and intriguing internal structures evocative of planetary structure, astrophysical plasmas, string theory and material phase transitions.

In the second project, SSFX (Space Sound Effects), we challenged independent filmmakers from across the globe to incorporate the sounds of Earth's space environment (made audible by us) into short films. Seven films, covering a wide array of topics/genres despite coming from the same sounds, were selected for screening at a special film festival. This attracted a diverse and predominantly non-science audience. Following the festival, we have combined the films into a single anthology, producing a framing film that communicates the science in a narrative context. Both this film and the individual shorts are now playing ahead of theatrical features and at other festivals and special events around the world.

We therefore discuss how embedding physics within the art world through creative challenges can open up dialogues with both artists and audiences who would not ordinarily engage with science.