At the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva, Switzerland, art and science collide in a collision of creativity and innovation.
The Intersection of Art and Science: An Interview with Curator Mónica Bello
CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva, Switzerland, has been a pioneer in fostering collaboration between art and science. Since its inception in 2012, the Arts at CERN program has provided artists with rare access to physics experts working on the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments.
Located in Geneva, Switzerland, CERN is a research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
Founded in 1954, its main function is to provide a platform for physicists and engineers from around the globe to conduct experiments on high-energy particles.
The laboratory is home to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) , a massive circular tunnel where protons are accelerated to nearly the speed of light before colliding.
CERN's research has led to numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including the Higgs boson particle in 2012.
A Collision of Art and Science
The initiative fosters a tangible exchange between artistic practice and scientific exploration. Artists in residence engage with physicists, conduct research, and create new works that often go on to circulate in the contemporary art world. This dynamic two-way exchange allows artists to gain firsthand exposure to cutting-edge physics while scientists encounter new ways of thinking and communicating their work.
The Selection Process
Mónica Bello, who has led the program since its inception, prioritizes artists with a genuine curiosity about spending time in a particle physics laboratory and an ability to provoke meaningful questions through unexpected proposals. ‘I don’t mean that they need to be new, more innovative or something that we haven’t seen before,’ she says. ‘It’s key the way one expresses the question and approaches the inquiry.’
Mónica Bello is a Spanish curator and art historian known for her innovative approach to contemporary art.
Born in Madrid, Spain, she has worked with numerous museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the Tate Modern in London.
Bello's expertise lies in curating large-scale exhibitions that explore the intersection of art, science, and technology.
Her notable projects include 'The Airborne Sound' and 'The Sound Carrier', which have been exhibited internationally.
A New Approach to Science
Bello emphasizes that artists coming to CERN aren’t necessarily there to engage with direct scientific facts. They might be drawn to the residency for the opportunity to approach science and scientific research from entirely different perspectives. Some are more interested in the materiality of science, the artifact or an ethnographic approach, while others seek to see nature differently and enter aspects of uncertainty.
The Role of Art in Science
Artists play a crucial role in making complex scientific data and ideas more accessible, transforming them into narratives and experiences that resonate beyond academic circles and traditional scientific discourse. ‘I think there is interest in understanding how we can do things together,’ Bello says, reflecting on the growing phenomenon of cross-disciplinary collaborations between art and science.
The Future of Art and Science
Years of residencies and case studies at CERN have proven not only that this model works but that it yields essential results. The Arts at CERN program plays a crucial role in supporting the production of works that emerge from these experiences and ensuring their circulation in museums and institutions worldwide. But even the most prestigious museums have their limits when it comes to exhibiting these works—what’s sometimes missing, Bello says, is the dynamic spirit with which these works were being produced or initially conceived.
The Annual Summit
To address this issue, CERN has launched an annual summit, first held in 2024. The second edition will bring together artists who have participated in Arts at CERN alongside leading voices from literature, philosophy, science, art, and music to foster conversations between artists and scientists. Titled ‘Uncertainty,’ it aligns with UNESCO’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, commonly known as CERN, is a research laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland.
Founded in 1954, it has 23 member states and is one of the world's largest and most prestigious scientific organizations.
CERN operates the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a powerful particle accelerator that helps physicists study the fundamental nature of matter and the universe.
Conclusion
The intersection of art and science has become a widely recognized tool for advancing knowledge and interrogating the use and impact of contemporary technologies. As Bello says, ‘It is an exciting moment in society. It’s a turning point in which we ask fundamental questions to understand our position in the universe as part of a broader network of relations, forces, and energies.’
