What do elementary particles dream of?

What Do Elementary Particles Dream Of? is a  audiovisual performance that delves into the profound intersections of quantum physics, consciousness, and human perception. Inspired by Roger Penrose’s theory—rooted in Gödel’s incompleteness theorems—that consciousness transcends computational processes, the work interrogates the boundaries of understanding, inviting audiences to inhabit a space where science and art converge.

At its core, the performance transforms abstract concepts into sensory experiences. Real data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)—capturing particle collisions occurring at nearly the speed of light—becomes a foundation for generative visuals and soundscapes. These are interwoven with live EEG data from an audience volunteer, whose brainwaves actively shape the unfolding narrative in real time. This fusion of human cognition and quantum phenomena situates the observer within the performance, emphasizing the entangled relationship between observation, reality, and interpretation.

The performance echoes the peculiarities of quantum mechanics, where particles exist in simultaneous potential states until observed, drawing parallels to Schrödinger’s famed thought experiment. These quantum behaviors, rendered through dynamic visuals and immersive sound, suggest a reality that eludes logical absolutes, much like the unprovable truths within Gödel’s theorems.

What Do Elementary Particles Dream Of? is not merely a reflection on science but an experiential inquiry into the nature of consciousness and the mysteries of existence. By reimagining scientific data as art, the performance invites viewers to consider the invisible dimensions of reality—those that exist beyond measurement or computation. It offers a profound exploration of the limits of perception, leaving audiences to ponder the dreams of the unseen and the untold stories of the universe.