If the dogma of the existence of " two cultures " (C.P. Snow) that everything opposes has had its day, collaborations between the arts and sciences invite us to question what unites these different " ways of making worlds " (N. Goodman).
On the occasion of the exhibition L'Atelier quantique: regards sur l'infiniment petit, organized at the Collège de France from October 8 2025 to January 8 2026, and as part of Unesco's International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, this international conference will explore the motivations, modalities and possible forms of cross-disciplinary approaches that take quantum physics as their field of experimentation.
Breaking with classical paradigms, quantum physics occupies a singular place among contemporary sciences. Quantum phenomena such as entanglement, superposition of states and the tunnel effect overturn our usual understanding of reality and resist all univocal interpretation. This abundance of phenomena suggests stimulating perspectives for Artistic creation, inviting us to multiply our approaches.
What forms can art give to quantum imaginary ? Conversely, how does quantum physics influence artistic practices ? What languages, methods and protocols do artists and scientists invent to create the conditions for dialogue ? Does philosophy have a role to play in these encounters ?
Physicists, artists, philosophers and curators will share their experiences and reflections on these spaces where the arts and sciences diffract, in order to open up new perspectives for contemporary thought and creation.
Scientific committee :
- Pr Jean Dalibard, Chair of Atoms and Radiation
- Pr Pierre-Michel Menger , Sociology of Creative Work Chair
- Céline Boisserie-Lacroix (philosophy researcher, doctorate from Institut Jean Nicod)
- Caroline Delétoille (artist)