Where science and art collide

Over the years CERN has inspired artists, it has been the setting for novels and films, it has hosted its own music and film festivals and even theatre productions. Being here is certainly inspirational, both for permanent staff and visitors alike. But there is no official framework to foster CERN’s cultural side. Ariane Koek hopes to change that by setting up a cultural policy for CERN, linking the imagination of scientists with that of artists.

"What I love about CERN is that it represents international collaboration, openness and creativity," says Ariane Koek. "Here people dare to think about the impossible and make it possible." Koek, whose background includes being a producer of cultural television and radio programmes at the BBC and CEO of a creative writing charity, has come to CERN for three months as part of a fellowship from a UK institution, the Clore Duffield Foundation.

"Every year around twenty people in the UK who are leaders in the cultural field are awarded a fellowship to develop themselves, explore the world and open up their horizons," she explains. As part of her fellowship she had to choose a project outside her ‘comfort zone’. "For me it was a no-brainer, I immediately chose CERN. I’ve always been fascinated by physics - the way it combines an intense logic with an intense imagination. I often used to invite scientists to talk on the cultural arts and politics shows I was making."

The CERN communications team, excited by her proposal, immediately invited her here. One of her main ideas is to set up an International Artist in Residence scheme for CERN. In fact, about 5 years ago CERN hosted a similar scheme which culminated in an exhibition of the work created (http://cds.cern.ch/record/45513?ln=en). But Koek wants to do much more than this. "The residency wouldn’t be limited to the visual arts, it would be open to dancers, film makers, writers, and digital artists and musicians," she explains.

"CERN already attracts lots of cultural interest" she says, " I know that Japanese artist Mariko Mori visited recently, and Antony Gormley even donated a sculpture to CERN, not to mention its being the setting for a major Hollywood film." But these collaborations are normally arranged on an ad hoc basis. For example, as Koek explains: "Artists normally visit because they know someone who works at CERN. So the process isn’t very transparent – which is in contrast to the way the rest of CERN works." Koek’s goal is to set up a permanent system to bring artists to CERN. After applying, the successful candidates would be picked by an international panel of judges made up of artists and scientists.

But the cultural policy is not just about bringing artists into CERN, it will also help to foster creativity from within CERN. "This will be a two-way relationship, " she confirms. "As well as the artist benefiting from the inspiration of CERN, they would also give a seminar at the beginning of their residency and they would showcase their work at the end." She also wants the artists to give ‘surgeries’ in which they will be available to talk and give advice to the many artistically minded here at CERN.