Sound installation’s fusion of art and physics
Posted on 14 May 2009
Part of the Spring Festival of New Music, the installation is accessible free during normal working hours and before and after evening concerts until 16 May.
There are lots of exciting areas in which science can be explored through sound
Dr David Jenkins
The interactive installation, created by London-based artist Leafcutter John, is inspired by ideas from leading edge Physics, in particular fusion energy – the process which powers stars that scientists hope to harness as a source of clean fuel. Physicists at the University of York lead research in this exciting area and an MSc in Fusion Energy is starting in October 2009.
The interactive installation is the result of an unusual dialogue between physicists at York and a contemporary artist. The idea for the collaboration came from Simon Roth, a student in the Department of Music.
Dr David Jenkins of the Department of Physics said: “It has been exciting to work with a musician and find that although we look at the world in very different ways, there are lots of exciting areas in which science can be explored through sound.”
Leafcutter John added: "It has been exciting to work with scientists at the University of York. It has been challenging and enjoyable to find ways to express ideas from science musically.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- More about the Spring Festival of New Music at www.YorkConcerts.co.uk/springfestival
- More about the MSc in Fusion Energy at www.york.ac.uk/depts/phys/gsp/taught/index.htm
- Twitter users can now keep up to date with news from the University of York at http://twitter.com/UniOfYork. A newsfeed is also available at http://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news-feeds/