Exkursion CERN und VIRGO

Florian Bettel
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Cultural Studies
2026W, Field Trip / Excursion (EX), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S51300

Description

Falling, escaping gravity, flying, breaking free and rising above the abyss are very present in the visual arts and in popular culture. They represent both humankind’s dreams and their nightmares. Cultural history is replete with countless attempts to overcome gravity, outwit it, escape it or harness it productively for a wide variety of forms of movement. Although scientists and engineers in the fields of architecture, structural engineering, mechanics and space technology have developed models to make gravity calculable, it remains a mystery in many respects.

Gravity has fascinated humankind since time immemorial. Explanations for it have been sought in myths, cosmologies and science. With his General Theory of Relativity in 1916, Albert Einstein provided the model that remains valid to this day, which ultimately stripped gravity of its force and explained it merely as an effect of the curvature of space-time. Yet, this approach makes Einstein’s description incompatible with quantum mechanics and thus with the second great theory of the 20th century. Research into the nature of gravity is ongoing.

As part of the excursion, we will visit two key sites for scientific research into these physical phenomena and models: at CERN near Geneva (CH) and at the Virgo gravitational wave detector near Pisa (I), new data is currently being collected that is of fundamental importance to the international scientific community. Against the backdrop of the historic city of Pisa, we will discuss, together with guest speakers, the historical context of the concept of gravity in art, technology and science. Moving beyond a simplistic re-actualisation of “force” as a conceptual foundation for artistic practice, artistic-scientific research or for conceptual frameworks in cultural and art studies, we will critically and transdisciplinarily examine the forms, techniques, practices, metaphorical dynamics and discursive frameworks.

The excursion forms part of the teaching and research project “Focus on Gravitation”, in collaboration with Liddy Scheffknecht and Anna Spohn.

Examination Modalities

At the joint preparatory meeting in October 2026, we will discuss the programme for the field trip, which will take place in early December. Please register for this via base. At the preparatory meeting, we will clarify the conditions of participation. Financial support is available for participating students.

Key Words

Technikgeschichte, Kulturgeschichte, Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Physik, Quantenmechanik, Gravitation

Dates

Fri, 16 October 2026, 15:00–17:00 Seminar Room 2 (preliminary discussion)
Wed, 21 October 2026, 10:00–19:00 FLUX 2 , "Workshop"
Fri, 27 November 2026, 15:00–17:00 Seminar Room 4
Tue, 01 December 2026, 09:00–Fri, 04 December 2026, 19:00 Exkursion CERN und Virgo
Fri, 15 January 2027, 15:00–17:00 Seminar Room 4

Course Enrolment

From 31 August 2026, 09:00 to 04 September 2026, 15:00
Via online registration

Art Education: study subject kkp (Bachelor): Academic Practice: FOR: Course from the Institute IKK.K 034/2026UBA-003.21

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: FOR: Course from the Institute IKK.K 034/2026UEW-003.21

Art Education: study subject dex (Bachelor): Academic Practice: FOR: Course from the Institute IKK.K 037/2026UBA-003.21

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: FOR: Course from the Institute IKK.K 037/2026UEW-003.21

Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2016UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2018UEW-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2017UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2018UEW-003.80

TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/2025UBA-003.01

Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Cultural Studies 537/2021UMA-080.14

Stage Design (1. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kulturwissenschaften 542/2022U00-107.02

Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kulturwissenschaften 542/2022U00-207.02

Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kulturwissenschaften 566/2019U00-108.13

Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kulturwissenschaften 566/2019U00-208.15

Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kulturwissenschaften 567/2019U00-108.13

Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kulturwissenschaften 567/2019U00-208.15

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Cultural Studies 568/2021UMA-005.01

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Cultural Studies 568/2021UMA-006.01

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/2024U00-203.02

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/2025U00-203.02

Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Cultural Studies 580/2013U00-104.07

Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Free Elective Pool Methodological and Theoretical Basics 584/2019U00-103.80

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/2019U00-202.01

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/2019U00-202.80

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/2021U00-203.02

Art & Science (Master): Methods and Practices of Transdisciplinary Research: Practice and Theory 776/2026UMA-002.16

Co-registration: possible

Attending individual courses: possible