As part of the Simons Foundation’s Open Interval program, artist Marcos Lutyens and experimental physicist Rana Adhikari will embark on a 7-month research project exploring the various concepts of “symmetry.” This collaboration is supported by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division.

Marcos Lutyens’ artistic practice targets the psychic and emotional well-being of his audiences by skillfully leading participants in hypnotic exercises that affect the deepest levels of their psyche. His works take form in installations, sculptures, drawings, short films, writings, and performances. In his explorations of consciousness, Lutyens has collaborated with celebrated neuro-scientists V. Ramachandran and Richard Cytowic, as much as studying under shamans from different cultures. From these investigations and research he has worked with visitors’ unconscious states in museums, galleries, and biennales around the world.

Rana Adhikari is an experimental physicist with interests in fundamental physics including tests of gravity and quantum mechanics. Adhikari is a Professor of Physics at Caltech and oversees the Adhikari Research Group, investigating experimental gravitational physics related to gravitational wave astronomy (LIGO), tests of fundamental physics on the tabletop (IQIM) to understand the nature of spacetime.

Partners + Collaborators