Micro talks by a Chicago artist and Fermilab historian opened an Aurora University art exhibit Tuesday, Feb. 20.
An opening reception showcased “Beyond the Visible,” an exhibit to May 10, at AU’s Schingoethe Center, 1315 Prairie Street in Aurora. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
In addition to micro talks by Higgins and Mondragon, the event featured the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Quantum Field” performed by Marianne Parker on piano.
“Visible” is a multimedia exhibition demonstrating how art and science come together to create beauty and spark inclusive conversations about cutting edge science. This exhibition is a collaboration between Aurora University’s Schingoethe Center and the FRA Guest Artist/Composer programs at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia sponsored by Fermi Research Alliance.
Curated by Schingoethe executive director Natasha Ritsma and Georgia Schwender, Visible features prints, musical compositions, sculptures, installations, digital imagery and VR by Fermilab artists. They include Patrick Gallagher, Mare Hirsch, David Ibbett, Jim Jenkins, Chris Klapper, and Ellen Sandor.
Artists featured in this exhibition have toured Fermilab and interacted with scientists at the laboratory, learning about their research and understanding the connection to society.
All works in the exhibition were inspired by what was learned from conversations and visits to Fermilab. These stunning pieces translate the awe of exploring scientific concepts related to the standard model of particle physics and quantum physics including data sonification, neutrino data-driven art as well as a variety of musical and visual metaphors.
Fermilab is America’s particle physics and accelerator laboratory dedicated to solving the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time. Artist M.C. Escher wrote “science and art sometimes can touch one another, like two pieces of the jigsaw puzzle which is our human life, and that contact may be made across the borderline between the two respective domains.”
—Al Benson