On April 13th the Krannert Art Museum opened its doors to physics enthusiasts, art lovers and all that fall in-between the two, with a public opening reception for the Flowing from Quantum to Cosmic exhibit. In addition to experiencing the art alongside its creators, the visitors’ stroll from the brightly lit representations of quantum states, alongside a meandering river, and into the whole universe confined in a single room was accompanied by live music performances and a spoken word and movement piece.
This event served as a culmination of the semester-long efforts by the students in Phys498-Art and allowed them to both participate in the behind the scenes complexities of bringing an exhibit come to life in a setting as striking as the Krannert Art Museum but also observe first-hand the reactions of museum-goers encountering the final product. Throughout the evening the students engaged with those enjoying their art and provided information about their pieces. In explaining their creative process and the ways in which it reflects the intricacies of physics themes underlying the course, they were able to challenge their own understanding as well as bring science, often perceived as intimidating, closer to their guests and peers.
