UFSCar Project Bridges physics and Public Understanding through Vibrant Murals
SÃO CARLOS, BRAZIL - A unique initiative at the Federal University of São carlos (UFSCar) is transforming the campus Physics Department into an open-air science gallery, using large-scale mural paintings to demystify complex physics concepts for the wider community.The FisArte project, launched in the latter half of 2023, has already completed six murals, with a seventh underway this October, blending artistic expression with scientific popularization.
The project aims to make physics more accessible and engaging, especially for students and the general public. By collaborating with both professional artists and UFSCar students,FisArte translates abstract scientific ideas – from mechanics and wave propagation to quantum physics and astrophysics – into visually compelling artwork. This innovative approach is supported by funding from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), through grants 18/15554-5, 22/00209-6, and 117498.
Coordinated by ufscar professor Romain Pierre Marcel bachelard, the murals showcase diverse artistic styles. Works by Jhavana Ferro Palomino focus on specific physics concepts, while those by Leonardo Gomes adopt a more abstract approach, exploring themes like the collaborative nature of research and the physics of music. Student contributions include a mural celebrating the centenary of physicist Cesar Lattes’ birth in 2024 and another planned for 2025, coinciding with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
Currently, FisArte is facilitating visits for school groups, partnering with UFSCar’s Institute of Scientific Culture and the Ouroboros Center for Scientific and Cultural dissemination to broaden the project’s reach and impact. The murals are located within the Physics Department at UFSCar and represent a growing effort to foster scientific literacy through artistic engagement.
