Quantum Dialogues

Abstract picture of shapes in blue and red colour.

Project Quantum Dialogues aims to showcase the connections between quantum science and the arts through an art workshop and exhibition. Counterintuitive but with clear logic of its own, inspiring and increasingly practical, quantum science is reaching out simultaneously into technology applications and deep fundamentals of science. As quantum physics penetrates the everyday life more and more, the interest of general public grows. One of the best ways of communicating unusual and exciting is visual art. This has motivated us to call for a quantum art workshop. We would like to pair 4 quantum PhD students with 4 early career artists to create 4 pieces of art to be displayed from June onwards in the Byre theatre in St Andrews and then potentially to become a traveling exhibit.

We are looking for 4 creative quantum PhD students across Scottish Universities to contribute.

If you are interested:

  1. 27 February 2026 – submit a short abstract aimed at a non-scientific audience (artists!) to present a piece of quantum science that you would like to convert into piece of art, working with an artist. This should not exceed 1/2 page.
  2. End March – artists and scientist are selected and paired.
  3. Early April (provisionally 8 April or week starting 13 April) – 1 day in-person workshop in St Andrews. The focus of this project is to bring together early-career artists and quantum scientists, to explore current research in quantum science through an artistic lens. Each artist-scientist duo will work together to learn more about each other's work and working methods, and produce an artwork and lay-person description inspired by quantum science. Artist-in-residence from the School of Physics and Astronomy Tim Fitzpatrick will lead from the artistic side; Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans will share her experience in bridging art, music and science; Prof Natalia Korolkova will provide expertise in quantum science.
  4. End May – you will stay in touch online with your artist colleague. Artists will work on the artwork, and you will need to create a brief, lay-audience description of quantum physics behind the artwork. Pieces of art accompanied by your description should be ready by end of May.
  5. From 7 June 2026 – Exhibit in the Byre Theatre opens.
    We plan an official opening of the exhibit on 9 June 2026 in the time of the Summer School on Light-Matter Interactions for Quantum running in St Andrews 7-10 June 2026, organized by ARC for Quantum Technologies.

Inquiries: to Natalia Korolkova <nvk@st-andrews.ac.uk>
Submit your abstract by 27 February 2026 to Dimali Vithanage <da16@st-andrews.ac.uk>

Come and share your vision of quantum physics with us!

Tim Fitzpatrick, Anne-Marie Weijmans, Natalia Korolkova