Quantum computers store information as data in the form of quantum bits known as qubits - that are notoriously finnicky and susceptible to errors. Artist Stewart Smith created the site-specific exhibition during his year-long residency at the Yale Quantum Institute. More specifically, the site-specific exhibit, called “Beneath the Green, the Quantum” and created by artist Stewart Smith during his year-long residency at YQI, employs Yale’s latest research into quantum error correction, a concept in quantum computing research that is one of the biggest remaining hurdles in creating full-scale quantum computers that perform calculations an order of magnitude faster than traditional computers. “What do you know about quantum physics?” asked Carle, who, in his day job, is manager of the Yale Quantum Institute (YQI).Īs Carle explained it, what looked like a random light show was, in fact, the orchestration of a sophisticated quantum computing technology that has taken years to develop - technology that may someday change daily life. “Can you tell us how this works?” asked Edward Sullivan, as he and Yvonne Benjamin, both of Shelton, Connecticut, approached Florian Carle, the official tour guide for this mini maze. As people walked, danced, and posed for selfies among them, the beacons lit up in blue, green, red, or white.

On a foggy, Friday night recently, with old hip hop songs filling the air and hundreds of happy people taking in the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, a small quantum forest sprouted up on the New Haven Green.ĭozens of illuminated beacons, each one 6-feet tall, were spread out in rows, not far from the festival’s main stage.

Installing modapi the forest