Inaugural resident artist in physics selected

Ruoheng Yang has been selected as the inaugural resident artist in physics at Illinois for one semester, spring 2025. Yang is an undergraduate student majoring in studio art at the Illinois School of Art & Design. Her winning entry titled Space Dragons, which was showcased at the Resident Artist in Physics Exhibition, is a series of digitally drawn dragon designs based on astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, black holes, and artificial satellites. “These dragons are not only captivating creatures, but also embodiments of astronomical concepts. By depicting them in various situations and scenarios, interacting with each other and the world around them, I aim to bring the world of astronomy to life, making it tangible and engaging to all,” says Yang.

In this role, Yang will receive monetary support and will be provided a workspace in Loomis Lab. As the resident artist, Yang will develop at least one creative work inspired by leading-edge physics. She will be able to select her medium and choose the subject of her work from research being done in the department. Yang’s work will be on exhibit at the end of her residency.

Two additional $500 awards were presented to resident artist candidates. Illinois Physics Professor and Head Matthias Grosse Perdekamp presented Brandon Alexander Young-Eleazar with the Department of Physics Award for their performance piece musica universalis: An Exploration of the ‘Music of the Universe’ in Pitch, Rhythm, and Expression. During this piece Young-Eleazar performs an original vocal score while painting. “musica universalis explores our understanding of planetary systems as interactive musical experiences in pitch, rhythm, and expression,” explains Young-Eleazar.

Brooke White, director of the School of Art and Design, presented Avi Pellegrinetti with the School of Art and Design Award for their hybrid sculpture and dance performance EIGENSTATE. In this piece, dancers act out the mechanics of quantum phenomena. As a dancer, Pellegrinetti is inspired by these mechanics. They elaborate, “By working with ideas of electron spin, quantum mechanics of an electron, and the observation effect, I use dance to transform abstract concepts into something intuitive and emotional.”  This award supports Pellegrinetti to continue developing their interdisciplinary work in spring 2025.

Perdekamp was so impressed with the quality of entries to the competition, he added an impromptu additional prize, naming it the Art Development Award. This prize is an invitation to further develop the creative concept exhibited in the show, and the winner may submit a budget proposal for that work to Illinois Physics.Perdekamp presented this bonus prize to Xavier Davenport for his interactive entry Bell and Shor Take the Spinductor for a Walk. “The Spinductor is an innovative instrument that invites you to explore the interplay of quantum spin and music. By harnessing magnetic fields through hand gestures, you can manipulate the electromagnetic environment to create unique musical expressions,” describes Davenport. The Art Development Award will support Davenport to further develop his entry in collaboration with members of the Physics Department.