QMoss

Below is our modification of a numerical simulation depicting the time evolution of a one-dimensional particle confined in a potential well. This has been the starting point of our design that has evolved into a multidimensional and captivating outcome.

Quantum Moss, or QMoss, for short is a multidisciplinary contemporary art project communicating quantum phenomenon through a tangible and concrete media of Finnish plywood and moss. Connecting quantum physics to the famous architectural surroundings of Aalto University campus through a biological media brings a natural, soft way to communicate quantum physics, and also contributes to the biodiversity of the campus. Through this connection to natural growth and decay, QMoss questions the lifecycle of public art in the time of global climate change: World is changing constantly and rapidly around us. Should we not take notice of if more in our everyday life?

The shape of the design is stemming from a pattern (See picture above!) designed through a numerical simulation of a quantum object in a confining potential, and is depicted through the peculiar structure of the installation. Moss, then again, already belongs to the campus and is found by the observant visitors of the campus — we wish to offer more room for mosses and other biological entities to take over!

QMoss was chosen through an open competition from several wonderfully inspiring suggestions (Please refer to the official Campus Art Competition announcement by Aalto University). Our original design was to produce the designed pattern on a stone wall (See picture below!), shape of which was inspired through several reasons. One being the phenomenon of quantum tunneling, quantum particles being able to tunnel through barriers; the shape of the piece was to represent the continuum of the brick wall pushing through the other in the middle of the campus area. Second motivation for the placement of the piece comes from the urban nature at that particular spot: it already grows many types of moss and exactly at the spot, where you’d imagine the extension of the wall to stand at (See picture). The spread of the quantum moss had already begun and we were hoping to collect and save it!

However, as the Aalto University campus was undergoing big architectural changes, the location as well as the shape of our installation was therefore affected by uncertainty of both it’s final placement and it’s material choices. Our design has drastically changed through an iterative process. As the design process developed, we kept the most important design aspects firmly close to our original vision and mission. This gave us in fact the opportunity to revisit the values of the installation many times: sustainability, beauty and the connection to quantum physics.