Edge of the Observable

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This project was developed during my 'Art@CMS' residency program at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, which included a 1500 CHF artist fee. I developed a method of producing art through the scientific research, manifesting theenergetic and expressive qualities of the particle collisions in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), using CMS collision event data in a unique way. Taking the form of a physics experiment, the data is (re) emitted as light from an energy source; it is then modulated through an optical filter; and is then captured and recorded by a detector; the output of which is presented audiovisually. The video is synchronised to audio generated by the LHC beam, in collaboration with a physicist who developed a unique method of creating sound in the LHC. To date nobody has developed such audio or visual processes in this context - the few other artists at CERN have used traditional media, aside from Ryoji Ikeda (whom I met and discussed methods with), who uses only digital data. Collectively, the audiovisual material embodies the near-Big Bang energies and dynamics in the LHC, but also the sublime qualities inherent in such research, and the empirical limits of scientific knowledge, the edge of which is literally being defined and probed at CERN. In addition to the artwork, a catalogue was published by CMS which included an essay by me and an introduction by the chair of CMS. The work premiered at the Art@CMS vernissage, which was attended by over 700 CERN scientists, and has been exhibited at over a dozen international galleries, venues, and the 37th shown at the 'Small Infinite' exhibition at the University of Southampton John Hansard Gallery. A positive review from 'The Guardian' newspaper mentioned my work in the context of big science, describing it as 'swoonsome videos reflecting science's sublime side'. International Conference of High Energy Physics (which I attended). (cont.)