The ionic accelerator, hidden in the underground labs of the Physics Department and showed to everyone on 29th April in all its parts after a long time, really marked a moment of great scientific development between the Eighties and 21st Century. In fact, if you look at it dismantled, you wouldn’t imagine how much it actually contributed to scientific research in the field of physics.
This machine for experiments on the physical properties of metals is now back in the limelight thanks to the brainstorming of ideas that the Department of Physics announced with the collaboration of Mart (Museum of modern and contemporary art of Trento and Rovereto) and the financial contribution of INFN (National institute of nuclear physics). The aim is to reconsider the machine with an artistic slant, as a symbol of the importance of research.
All artists under 35 may forward their project by 30th July and the winner will be responsible for the artistic revival of the machine. The work of art will then be placed at the entrance of the Polo scientifico Fabio Ferrari in Povo.
The details of the competition and parts of the accelerator were introduced to everyone by the director of the Department of Physics, Lorenzo Pavesi and the President of the Mart museum, Ilaria Vescovi along with the manager of the IdEA lab, Antonio Miotello. They lead journalists on an unusual tour through the underground labs of the building in Povo.
They were also accompanied by Denis Isaia (Mart) and Elisabetta Rossi (Department of Physics) who were responsible for drafting the call.
To participate in the call and forward one’s project (many forms of art are accepted: sculpture, installation, wall painting or other) the young artists under 35 must place an application by 30th July according to the procedures established in the document that can be found on the website of the Department: www.unitn.it/dphys/concorso-acceleratore-ionico
«The idea –from the call – must deepen and interpret the cultural dimension of the accelerator in relation to the symbolic background in which the work will be placed. Particular attention must be given to the relation between the accelerator, its cultural and technical features and the evolution of scientific research». Groups of young artists may also participate.
The competition is divided in two phases.
During the first phase of the selection a maximum of three ideas will be selected. The artist of every one of the ideas to access the finals will then be called to develop a project with the collaboration of a group of physicians who will help with the scientific side and draft a detailed project. During the second phase the commission will analyze the projects and choose the winner that will then complete the project.
As the work of art is being produced, the winner may rely on the help of the curator of the Mart Museum and on the organizational and technical help of the Department of Physics.
The budget to produce the work of art is set at 6.500 euro gross including any type of work carried out within the labs of the Department of Physics. The finalists will receive a prize of 1000 euro each, whereas the winner will receive a prize amounting to 3000 euro. A refund is also foreseen for each finalist, up to a maximum of 1000 euro, to cover transport expenses, board and lodging during the working phase with the group of physicians supporting the scientific aspects of the project.
The work of art will then be placed at the entrance of the Polo scientifico e tecnologico Fabio Ferrari in Povo.
Further information regarding the history of the accelerator at the service of research can be found in the Press release.