Light, sound and suspension: The Atomium kicks off anniversary with dazzling digital art

Built as a symbol of peace, democratic cooperation and scientific optimism for Expo 58, Brussels’ iconic landmark is celebrating 20 years since a major renovation project transformed the visitor experience of the modernist structure.

A year-long programme of activities staged at the Heysel site in 2026 is entitled “Brighter than ever since 2006”.

In addition to a schedule of activities, three new digital art installations have been launched to mark the anniversary that run until 3 February. They transform not only the interior experience but add movement, sound and atmosphere to what is otherwise a largely static architectural space.

Arnaud Bozzini, exhibitions director of the Atomium, emphasises that it continues its original mission today: “The idea is to be a building for progress, for development. That is why we are working on digital art, to see what is the modernity today and how it compared to 2058.”

The new programme is aimed not only at art enthusiasts and first-time visitors, but regulars making return trips to the monument. As Bozzini explains: “It also offers the opportunity and the pleasure to discover or sometimes rediscover the architecture of the building, because all the installations are really in dialogue with the building.”

All of the digital works have been created especially for the site: “It's not that you had the opportunity to already show this kind of installation elsewhere. No, it's made for the Atomium.”

Nimbus by Visual System

The new large-scale installation by the collective Visual System dissolves the familiar geometry of the Atomium.

Light moves through the space in ever changing waves of light, while custom sound composition by Thomas Vaquié enhances the atmosphere, surrounding visitors in an almost protective halo of light and sound.

The result is immersive and slightly disorienting. At moments, the atmosphere feels dreamlike and almost surreal, as if stepping into another dimension. Visitors move slowly, while time seems suspended.

Nimbus continues Visual System’s long-standing dialogue with the Atomium, following previous collaborations over the past decade.

“It's a collaboration for more than 10 years, and we really can say that the Atomium is almost a laboratory for them, and for the question of digital art connected to heritage building,” says Bozzini.

Supply Chain by Romain Tardy

In another of the Atomium’s spheres, Supply Chain by Romain Tardy offers a different concept. Mirrors, LED modules and industrial structures create a choreography of reflections and light beams: drawing attention to the hidden infrastructures behind everyday technology.

The experience is sensory, but also critical, inviting reflection on the material and industrial systems that underpin the digital world.

A soundscape by Le Motel adds a powerful, otherworldly layer that is sometimes psychedelic, sometimes subtly unsettling to this work that feels theatrical, immersive and absorbing.

Rotonde by Dirty Monitor

The third installation, Rotonde, only fully reveals itself after nightfall. Installed permanently around the lower dome, the circular LED structure and synchronised sound composition is by Charleroi pioneering digital collective Dirty Monitor.

Rotonde marks a shift: the Atomium is no longer just a daytime landmark, but an active presence in the city after dark.

Other anniversary highlights

Beyond the new art installations, the anniversary programme also includes a second season of the podcast Renovation, featuring the voices of engineers, workers and residents who experienced the transformation two decades ago.

A Smurf-themed family day adds a lighter, playful dimension to the celebrations on 22 April. Later in the season, on 25 and 26 September, the site will host science days in partnership with ULB and VUB. The event will focus on encouraging young audiences and highlighting the role of women in science.

For Bozzini, the anniversary is not only about looking back, but also about bringing younger generations closer to the Atomium as a cultural space, its architecture and its connection to Expo 58.

“It's an amazing building, an amazing shape, and the programme and digital art focus that we have been developing for more than three years, makes real sense for a younger public.”

Photos: (main image) Rotonde ©Dirty Monitor; ©Atomium - Alexandre Laurent; Nimbus ©Magdalena Bissels; Supply Chain ©Be_Culture; Rotonde ©Dirty Monitor; Atomium ©Erwin Boosten