Introduction

 

This program summarized the Quantum Art Festival from its first year to this year, reflecting on the relationship between quantum technology and art, and discussing future prospects. A panel consisting of a science writer, designer, and editor shared their thoughts on the future of quantum technology and the role of art.

 

 

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Quantum Art Festival FAQ

 

Ota: We have received questions from the audience about this year’s programs as well as about the past festivals. We’d like to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. Let’s start with this simple question: What exactly is the Quantum Art Festival?

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Shirasawa: The Quantum Art Festival is a place for exploration, through artistic expression, of use cases in a society and world opened up by quantum computers. In terms of art and research, it aims to encourage the discovery of new questions and perspectives through artworks, and to inspire one’s own interpretations and dialogues. It also fosters discussion to explore how AI can supplement creativity, how we might coexist with AI, and what a society with quantum computers can be like. This is the best part of the Quantum Art Festival.

 

Ota: The next question is: How did the Quantum Art Festival begin?

 

Shirasawa: We see some misleadingly exaggerated ideas about quantum technology, so it was launched to promote a more accurate understanding. As Mr. Mizuno mentioned in the opening program, quantum technology research is still groping in the dark, and we hope that the feedback from the participating artists and the audience will encourage the researchers.

 

Mori: The more advanced a technology is, the more difficult it is for society to understand it properly. I think genetic engineering is an example of such misunderstanding. Quantum technology may face the same challenge. How do you see the role of art in such a situation?

 

Shirasawa: I think art is something that empowers us to perceive events in a more personal way, through experience, dialogue, and discussion with others. I believe it’s important to understand events not just by passively accepting answers, but by questioning things.

 

Ota: The third and most frequently asked question is: Why did you combine quantum with art?

 

Shirasawa: There is something similar in the approach to quantum technology research and that to art, and it is probably that they both explore the unknown and raise new questions. That’s why I think combining them can unleash new possibilities.

 

Mori: I believe that artists are the only social actors who can create a nexus between quantum and society, between quantum and humans, and between quantum and civilization. For instance, paying close attention to the viewpoints of bio-artists can lead to finding challenges and possibilities of biotechnology and its connection to society.

 

Ota: The last question is: Who is involved in the Quantum Art Festival?

 

Shirasawa: Top creators, artists, researchers, engineers, designers, science journalists, and other professionals. This year, high school students also participated. Their comments with new perspectives were a pleasant surprise for us and we had interesting discussions with the researchers.

 

 

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Feedback from the audience

 

I found it interesting that Kotobuki Shiriagari said, “To understand this, we may need to let go of the five senses.” People say to use the five senses to the fullest, and I think it’s romantic if there is a sense other than the five senses.

　　What struck me the most in Tina Lorenz’s talk was the work of Refik Anadol. I imagine that artwork created by a quantum computer can influence human memory and even the way we communicate.

 

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Activities towards the 4th year

 

Kamijo: I am working on a book project. The book will cover: the understanding of quantum technology, thoughts of researchers involved in the Japanese Cabinet Office’s Moonshot Goal 6, possibilities arising from merging quantum and art, and efforts toward social implementation. The proposed title is Tou ryoshi (Quantum that Questions). We also want to spark interest in quantum among young people, for example, through an educational program on quantum for high school students.

 

Mori: We tend to be slow to act when a core idea is missing, but when it comes to the use cases for quantum technology, we need to start acting now or risk producing mere rehashes. With members of the Q-STAR, we create artworks, and these approaches are exactly what we plan to present at the next Quantum Art Festival.

 

Shirasawa: This year was limited to webinars, but next year we hope to offer a physical experience of works to engage the five senses, which is one of the true joys of an art festival. Through this experience, we’d like to think about and discuss various issues with you.