Arts at CERN

Broken Symmetries brings together artists who aim to understand and question the physical world by navigating the shifting realities of modern science

The underlying nature of the universe remains ever-elusive. But now, thanks to the technological and scientific breakthroughs of the last hundred years, we are more able to understand the nature of this hidden realm, revealing and interpreting the symmetries that govern our existence.

This inquiry into existence has long inspired many artists. Through scientific and artistic collaborations, this exhibition brings together ten new commissions by international artists who creatively explore questions and connections that may contribute to the understanding of the hidden world and its impact on our lives.

Broken Symmetries began with Collide, Arts at CERN’s flagship residency programme, in collaboration with FACT, between 2015 and 2018. During this period, a group of artists was invited to CERN to advance their artistic practice by establishing a dialogue with engineers and particle physicists.