THE QUANTUM SERIES
Surrealism paintings inspired by the surreal world of quantum mechanics
The Observer Effect
By Mark Gibbs. 40″ x 60″ (Approx 1m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
The Observer Effect
In quantum physics the observer effect refers to the phenomenon where simply observing a quantum system can physically change it from being undefined to a defined state.
In the arts this can refer to the importance of the audience viewing a work, be it an object or a performance.
The observer is invited to ponder a number of questions while gazing into a surreal landscape with figures placed in a manner that defies logic and would be impossible to construct in the physical world.
- To what extent does an anticipated audience influence an artist’s creation?
- While some artists claim a complete disregard for their audience in their creative practice, who has ultimate authority over the meaning behind a work of art? Its creator or its audience?
- And if there is no audience, does a work of art even exist?
The observer effect speaks to connection and distance and our predisposition as audience to ascribe narrative. Consider the watched watching the watchers and the deeper meaning of audience as participants simply by viewing this work.
Particle Zoo
By Mark Gibbs. 40″ x 60″ (Approx 1m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
Particle Zoo
At the smallest level, the universe is made up of approximately 200 particles and their interactions using 17 fundamental particles, which vary greatly in mass and other properties. Historically this apparently bewildering array of particles has been called the particle zoo.
In recent decades a well-defined understanding of this range of sub-atomic particles has been developed and is known as the Standard Model, however this rigorous and incredibly precise theory leaves some phenomena unexplained and falls short of being a complete theory of fundamental interactions, even though it has been very successful in predicting experimental outcomes.
I also refer to this composition as a DIY narrative. In the same way that particle physicists have had to fill in the gaps through a combination of theory and experimentation, you’re invited to decipher your own version of the story depicted by the element in this painting.
Multiverse
By Mark Gibbs. 30″ x 60″ (Approx 0.75m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
The Multiverse
The multiverse theory, also known as the many-words interpretation in quantum mechanics, describes an infinite number of universes and everything that could possibly have happened in our past, but did not, has actually occurred in the past of some other universe or universes.
As unlikely as this sounds, quantum physicists assure us this is not just some sort of highly theoretical concept to satisfy the maths, insisting that many worlds is the only rational explanation for so many quantum phenomena we see in real-world experiments.
If I apply this to the visual arts community, it can sometimes seem to occupy a different world. They often use a distinct language to describe their work, insisting on a different set of aesthetic values that mystify those that don’t share their worldview.
Entanglement
By Mark Gibbs. 40″ x 60″ (Approx 1m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
Entanglement
Two sub-atomic particles are said to be entangled when a change of spin on one particle immediately affects the second particle, no matter how far apart the entangled particles are. Apparently this effect breaks the universe’s speed limit; the speed of light.
Einstein was sceptical of this effect, calling it ‘spooky action at a distance’. However recent experiments have verified that this effect is entirely real. In fact, harnessing this behaviour of sub-atomic particles is a very active area of research for developing new communication and computer systems.
The Boundary
By Mark Gibbs. 40″ x 60″ (Approx 1m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
The Boundary
Also referred to as the classical limit of quantum mechanics, physicists have struggled to find a clear boundary between classical physics and what Albert Einstein called the “spooky” features of quantum mechanics. Perhaps the quantum world can now be said to be invading our world as new technologies in computing and communication look to harness quantum properties for the future.
String Theory
By Mark Gibbs. 40″ x 60″ (Approx 1m high x 1.5m wide) Oils on canvas. $6,600.
String Theory
String theory is one of the greatest ideas in modern physics, and also one of the most confusing.
In essence, it’s a theory that the smallest particles the universe is made from are not point-like dots, but tiny strings so small they are impossible to measure. It also predicts there are many dimension to space (beyond the dimensions of lengths, depth, breadth and time which we can experience) which we can’t sense because they are bunched up in tiny spaces.
In fact string theory describes a huge number of separate universes, a number so huge it is impossible to imagine (10 with 500 zeros) with each universe having different laws of physics.
The theory also suggest there are should find cosmic strings that would be billions of light years long, thinner than a proton and spectacularly dense.