Mónica Bello

Mónica Bello

Title: “Science and Art in Dialogue, Creativity across Disciplines”

Abstract: We are currently witnessing a growing interest in the intersection of disciplines, with many scientific organisations promoting cultural activities within their spaces. For instance, they invite creators to spend time in laboratories and engage with the research community. In our era, science guides us in understanding nature, and these strategies can be seen as ways to participate in a broader, more significant social debate. At CERN, scientists and engineers from around the world collaborate to understand the fundamental elements of matter. Since 2012, CERN has hosted a pioneering program called Arts at CERN, designed to foster dialogue between art, science and society. This talk will explore the role of Arts at CERN within the Laboratory and how it forges connections between creative and research communities, as well as its impact on culture and contemporary creation.

Bio: Mónica Bello is an art historian and curator with a deep understanding of the intersection of art and science. Since 2015, she has been curator and head of Arts at CERN at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics in Geneva. In this position, she holds a crucial role in fostering partnerships and promoting artistic endeavours within the scientific community. Under her leadership, Arts at CERN has fostered collaborations with international organizations, expanding CERN’s cultural network while designing art programs – residencies, exhibitions and commissions – and transforming them into valuable platforms for engagement with scientific research. In 2022, she curated the Icelandic Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale with the artist Sigurður Guðjónsson.

Affiliation: CERN, European Laboratory for Particle Physics, Geneva