Quantum Worlds – Music and Poetry: A Creative Exploration of Quantum Physics

On Friday 19 June, “Quantum Worlds – Music and Poetry” was performed at the Pianodrome in Edinburgh by IQN Hub’s Professor Erika Andersson, in collaboration with Pianist-in-Residence Will Pickvance, Steve Summers from Noisy Toys, Edinburgh pianist Nick Lauener, Pianodrome Co-Director Tim Vincent-Smith, and Professor Ruth Aylett, computer scientist and poet. 

Sponsored by the IQN Hub and part of the Quantum Fringe (organised by Edinburgh’s Quantum Software Lab), the event brought together science and artistic performance in an imaginative exploration of quantum physics. The evening set out to make complex  scientific theories accessible to non-specialist audiences through creative expression. 

During the performance, participants were taken on a journey of mind-bending quantum concepts and their everyday applications. From tunes in superposition to poems about quantum love, with some quantum-entangled knitted mittens along the way, the event provided an engaging and accessible overview of quantum concepts and how quantum technology is shaping our future. 

Covering topics such superposition, quantum entanglement, quantum measurement, wave-particle duality and even atomic clocks, the evening exemplified how outreach activities can enhance the communication of science. The enthusiastic response from the audience demonstrated how creative, interdisciplinary experiences can make quantum concepts more approachable and bridge the gap between complex research and public engagement.