CityUHK sparks a fusion of art and science: a century-long dialogue between quantum mechanics and atonal music
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has broken new ground by bringing together the rarely intersecting worlds of science and art, co-hosting a centenary celebration, titled “100 Years of Quantum Physics & Atonal Music”. The event transformed two revolutionary movements—quantum mechanics and atonal music—from abstract ideas into immersive, multi-sensory experiences, seeking a new balance between certainty and uncertainty, order and chaos.
In 1925, two revolutions were born simultaneously in the fields of science and art, challenging the certainties of their time. Quantum mechanics overturned Newtonian determinism with concepts such as wave-particle duality and superposition, revealing a universe of probabilities in which electrons can exist in multiple states and particles can be entangled across vast distances. Simultaneously, composers began to abandon traditional tonal structures, embracing dissonance and shifting scales to create a new sonic language that defied order and embraced complexity.
CityUHK has played a pivotal role in this cultural dialogue, bridging the gap between art and science. Professor Denver Li Danfeng, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Education) of the College of Science and Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at CityUHK, provided invaluable insights for this event and arranged a series of lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions.
He emphasised the significance of this collaboration and expressed gratitude to Professor Herman Hu Shao-ming, Co-Chairperson of Board of Governors of the CityUHK Foundation, for his support and facilitating connections that enabled the University to participate in this interdisciplinary cultural extravaganza.
The celebration featured distinguished guests, including Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov, a Nobel Laureate in Physics, and Professor Sir Michael Berry, recipient of the Wolf Prize in Physics, who shared cutting-edge insights into quantum physics with CityUHK students and faculty. In addition, interactive installations were set up at the University Concourse, allowing visitors to “touch and learn” about quantum concepts and turning abstract theory into tangible experience.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an immersive visual art piece displayed along the 50-metre-long corridor of LED screens on both sides of CityUHK’s “Tunnel of Future Innovations”. Created by CityUHK School of Creative Media alumna Vvzela Kook, the art piece, titled “Superposition”, transformed the space into a virtual particle collider, accompanied by Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets suite—inviting visitors to journey through the mysteries of the micro and macro cosmos.
The grand finale of the celebration took place at Hong Kong City Hall, featuring “Quantum Odyssey”, a symphonic musical drama composed by American artist Mr Joshua Rivero and written by medical physicist Professor Wu Xiaodong. The performance fused the unpredictability of atonal music with the enigmatic principles of quantum theory, crafting a poetic narrative where science and art converge. Mr Rivero expressed his belief that music can offer fresh perspectives on the quantum world, transforming abstract ideas into visceral experiences that ignite the imagination.
More than just a celebration, “100 Years of Quantum Physics & Atonal Music” exemplifies CityUHK’s commitment to pioneering interdisciplinary innovation. Through this fusion of art and science, the University invited audiences to explore the unknown and rediscover the profound beauty of the universe.
Professor Sir Berry (right) shares cutting-edge quantum physics insights with CityUHK students and faculty.
Nobel laureate Professor Sir Novoselov.