Director Andreas HEINRICH of the Center for Quantum Nanoscience is giving a lecture at the 8th World Science Culture Forum, which was held on October 20th

"If you add imagination to the often-perceived complexities of quantum mechanics, it can be reborn as art."

Andreas HEINRICH, Director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Quantum Nanoscience, introduced efforts to bring quantum mechanics closer to the public through art at the 8th World Science Culture Forum. This year’s forum was held at the National Science Museum's Science Hall on October 20th. A leading figure in the study of the quantum properties of atoms on surfaces, Heinrich shared his past work, including creating a 1-minute and 30-second film using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) during his tenure at IBM. The film, titled "A Boy and His Atom," holds the Guinness World Record as the smallest movie ever made.

Heinrich stated, "Many of the activities in our research center start with the question, 'How can we make the beauty of quantum mechanics known to the world?'" He expressed his desire to share the fascination of exploring the quantum world with non-scientists and, to achieve this, he ventured into the world of art.

IBS Center for Quantum Nanoscience is accepting entrants to the “3rd Center for Quantum Nanoscience Art Contest” until late February 2024. The theme of the 3rd contest is qubit.

In 2019, the research center organized an art competition with the theme 'Quantum World,' and in 2021, another with the theme 'Spin Art.' Over 400 participants engaged in the Quantum World competition, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 250 participated in the Spin Art competition, demonstrating the public's interest in the beauty of quantum and spin. In 2024, they plan to hold a competition with the theme of ‘Qubits’ (quantum bits), the core technology of quantum computers. Participants can submit works in various fields, including painting, digital illustration, photography, and videos, until February 29, 2024.

Reflecting on the creation of "A Boy and His Atom," Heinrich noted, "During the 11 days it took for four scientists to move atoms tirelessly, we captured that moment. The video reached 1 million views on YouTube within a day, gaining explosive interest from the public." Encouraging participation in this project that transforms the world of quantum mechanics into art, he added, "As artists are experts in expressing invisible ideas through visual art, I hope for their significant involvement in this project that elevates the quantum world into art."

VIP of the 8th World Science Culture Forum including IBS President NOH Do Young (2nd row, 6th) and Director Andreas
HEINRICH (back row, 1st)

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. Suh