The installation IDEA at the exhibiting space of Trieste Città della Conoscenza

Trieste, Central Railway Station, Trieste Città della Conoscenza exhibiting space

3 June - 20 September 2019

The molecular structure of materials can become a symphony: devised by Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, IDEA is an installation straddling science and art that uses sounds to explain to visitors how matter is made at the microscopic level.

Inside a metal piece, electrons “dance” and the atoms forming the crystal lattice of a diamond swing harmonically: all of this can turn into a melody that helps scientists (and viewers) to understand the molecular structure of materials. The representation of data through acoustic means is called sonification and is an alternative which is complementary to visual approaches, which we are more accustomed to. It also has an artistic aspect: it can be the basis, or rather the inspiration, for creative musical products. The IDEA installation, produced by Elettra, uses sonification within the field of science of materials, enwrapping the visitor into a real “music of matter,” a unique experience at the emotional and educational level.
Designed under the artistic direction of Andrea Lausi and Loredana Casalis, physicians at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, IDEA presents music and videos by Marco Buongiorno Nardelli, physician at the University of North Texas.

IDEA can be visited free of charge and will be open from 3 June to 20 September (with a break for summer holidays throughout the month of August) at the space Trieste Città della Conoscenza (City of Knowledge) at the central railway station (accessible from Viale Miramare as well as inside the station).
The exhibition will be opened on 3 June at 6pm.

Following is the programme for the conferences to be held in June:

• 11 June, 5.30pm

A sea of experiments: doing research in an advanced photon source
with Andrea Lausi, Elettra 

• 18 June, 5.30pm

Nanotechnologies for medicine: revealing tumours by a blood drop
with Loredana Casalis, Elettra (Nanoinnovation lab)

• 25 June, 5.30pm

The ultrafast dance of isolated biomolecules
with Oksana Plekan, Elettra (FERMI)