Quantum Inkblot: A Night of Physics, Psychology, Dance, Art, & Astronomy.

Quantum Inkblot: An Evening of Physics, Psychology, Dance, Art, & Astronomy.

Mysteries and questions in quantum physics and psychology were be explored through the lenses of science, contemporary dance, and visual art.

This event took place on July 12, 2018 at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.

Can quantum physics influence our perception? How can creativity and imagination be used to answer unsolved mysteries of the mind?

This was a collaborative, interactive evening co-presented by The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Voirelia: Dance, Psychology and Philosophy Hub. We explored quantum physics through the lenses of physics, psychology, art, dance, and astronomy. The evening incorporated lectures by physicists and psychologists, state-of-the-art visual artwork, and original contemporary dance performances. Between presentations there was time to take part in interactive art activities, observe physics demonstrations, and chat with physicists, artists, and psychologists.

Check the Videos section of our Facebook page for more behind-the-scenes videos of dance and art work development.

BC Psychological Association (BCPA) has also provided support for this event.

Selection of photographs from the event follow. Photography by Adriano Ortega. More pictures and videos are on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/avoirelia.

There were several original dance works presented during Quantum Inkblot. Here are some captures from one of the rehearsals, with physicists Dr. Jaymie Matthews and Dr. Ewan Hill joining us for a transdisciplinary open-rehearsal style session.

Photographs: Jason Kirkness. Dancers: Sophie Brassard, Michael Demski. Rehearsal direction/choreography: Alina Sotskova

We wanted to document our artistic and creative process as we put together this unique event. Below you will see examples of original art works and how artistic creation progresses. In the dance photographs below (by Jason Kirkness), we had a brainstorming session that included people with backgrounds in physics, psychology, dance, and theater. We spent about an hour talking about concepts from quantum physics that people often find “weird” – such as the concepts of waves, particles, wave-particle duality, and the uncertainty principle. We touched on how quantum physics influences our perception of science, the world, and ourselves. We discussed topics of identity and searching for meaning and why the quantum world is so different from what we see with our senses. Then we took our brainstorming to the dance studio. Here, using prompts suggested by physicists and her own knowledge as a psychologist and dancer, Alina Sotskova facilitated improvisational movement exploration. This yielded a great deal of ideas about parallels between physics and psychology, and we will use these ideas a spring board as we begin to develop specific dance works for the event. You can also check out short videos of the improvisational movement research session on our Facebook page, in the Videos section.

The team who was part of the brainstorming session above included: Andrew Elias (Graduate Student working in the field of quantum physics, UBC); Jason Kirkness (Co-lead for the Quantum Inkblot Event and; background: physics and computer science); Alina Sotskova (Co-lead for the Quantum Inkblot Event and; background: psychology and dance). Our dancers were: Angelo Moroni, Michael Demski, Carolyn Schmidt, Alejandra Miranda Caballero, Alina Sotskova.

The images below are samples of original art works by Andrew Short, one of Voirelia’s Consultants. Inspired by topics in quantum physics, psychology, and cosmology, Andrew is working on preparing a very special presentation especially for Quantum Inkblot. The video shows the multimedia art presentation he created with the images, titled, “Alchemical Mandalas.”