Curious about the links between sand riddles in the desert, shape-shifting robots, and the cracks on an old painting? This class examines the physics behind shape formation, both in nature and in the work of humans. Concrete interdisciplinary examples spanning engineering, biology, architecture and beyond, will reveal underlying concepts of physics that are omnipresent around us, while questioning the common distinction our society tends to make between those who observe natural systems and those who create as engineers, designers and artists.

Formal lectures will provide students with a conceptual and methodological background for scientific implementation, while hands-on labs will confront them to the medium. They will put this into practice in producing their own scientific project within their artistic medium. Seminars featuring renown international speakers will expose the students to current experts and cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. The combination of these activities, from lectures to labs and hands-on projects, will introduce science as a practice and a method students can themselves implement, while exposing them to the surprising forms that discovery & invention can take.

Course catalogue
Syllabus of the class

Soft matter physics in art: Engaging art students and enriching their practice. Baudouin Saintyves.