SC Connecticut News

Since 2017, the Yale Quantum Institute (YQI) Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program has welcomed artists for year-long residencies in its laboratories. During their time at YQI, these artists create collaborative quantum science-based artwork, participate in public talks to explain both their work and the science behind it, and bridge the gap between the humanities and sciences. This year, YQI continues its commitment to the intersection of art and science by welcoming Italian Visual Artist and Art Historian Serena Scapagnini as its 4th AiR for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Serena Scapagnini’s work is deeply rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration. For the past decade, she has focused her artistic research on neurons, working closely with Professor Michael Higley, a neuroscientist at Yale School of Medicine, on a project titled SYNAPSES, dedicated to exploring the mind. Using fluorescent neuroimaging techniques to visualize neurons, Serena creates media works that define an internal landscape, following the flow of neurons like tributaries of a river, connecting through synapses to form shapes of thoughts. Her body of work spans painting, drawing, video art, and installations.

In her exploration of osmotic relationships between cells—and more broadly, between structure and space—Serena creates spatial works supported by delicate copper cables forming complex systemic organizations. These compositions suggest a rhythm that runs through overlapping papers, echoing natural dynamics. The proportions, order, and quality of these works evoke geometric structures underlying various forms in nature. Paper is Serena’s preferred medium; dense layers of paint on one part of the picture gradually evolve into ethereal forms allowing dendritic branches to dissolve into the white surface of the paper. Transparencies and rarefaction of neurons on empty white spaces create an environment where images rest and perception unfolds into silence as if thoughts could extend into a moment of transcendence.

Earlier this summer, Serena delivered a public talk at YQI titled “The Shape of Thoughts: Down the Flowing River of Tributary Neurons,” as part of YQI's non-technical talk series where she shared insights into her work and practice.

Serena holds a master’s degree in Medieval Art History, Iconography, and Iconology from the University of Siena. Her art education began at Université Paris VIII and continued in New York where she completed a Master’s program in Painting and Mixed Media at the School of Visual Arts. Her work has been exhibited and collected in the United States, China, India, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, and Italy. Her latest artwork Hemispheres is currently on display in Pio Monte della Misericordia Church in Naples alongside Caravaggio’s masterpiece The Seven Works of Mercy.

YQI expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Serena as their Artist-in-Residence: "We are thrilled to welcome Serena as our Artist-in-Residence." In this role she will engage with faculty members researchers students attend colloquia events create artwork inspired by collaboration with YQI researchers.

Additional public events will be hosted at YQI to showcase work created during Serena's residency. To be informed about upcoming events consider subscribing to YQI's public events newsletter or checking their calendar. More information about the artist-in-residence program or previous artists can be found at art.quantuminstitute.yale.edu.