[Apologies for being off-topic, but this list has an amazing ability to
reach the parts that other email lists cannot reach ;-)]
** PLEASE CIRCULATE ** ALL WELCOME **
Mathematical photography -- Images from another world
by Justin Mullins
[
www.justinmullins.com]
In the same way that an ordinary photograph is snapshot of natural
beauty, mathematical photographs are stills of mathematical beauty. If
mathematicians are explorers, then my role is that of a photographer who
retraces their steps. During my journey, I photograph what I find. By
that I mean frame it, record it and later present it.
While the notion of mathematical beauty, and indeed ugliness, is well
established, mathematics and mathematical physics can inspire (for me at
least) an extraordinary mix of other emotions and ideas. For that reason,
the equations in my photographs are much more than objects of 'austere
beauty', as Bertrand Russell put it. I photograph them to explore their
complex emotional and aesthetic values. For me, it is a journey of great
wonder and excitement.
Extract from a review of Justin's exhibition in London in 2006:
When I walked into the gallery, I saw a class of children sat
listening to their teacher as she talked to them in front of one of the
beautifully presented equations. Taking a look around the gallery myself,
I soon saw why she had decided to bring her class to see the
"photographs". The stark black Times New Roman text on a white
background certainly looks striking. Other artists have been fascinated
by typography and some have even exhibited mathematical equations. But
it’s not just the act of putting equations in a gallery or the beauty of
the "photographs" that made this exhibition special. Beside
each equation is a title and "commentary" in Justin’s own
words, often explaining why the equation is beautiful, or in some cases,
ugly. I would never have thought that giving a girl an equation from
quantum physics was "romantic" until I read Justin’s
description of entanglement ... Justin’s words have a way of making you
stop and think about the equations in a way that the pictures on their
own simply wouldn’t.
[
http://www.lablit.com/article/81]
For a sample gallery of works, see the website
www.justinmullins.com .
TIME: 6 - 7.30pm, Tuesday 9 January 2007
PLACE: London Knowledge Lab, 23-29 Emerald St, London, WC1N 3QS
[Travel information / Maps:
http://www.lkl.ac.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=32
]
All welcome. No reservation required, but an email to Phillip Kent
[[log in to unmask]] would be appreciated.
FORTHCOMING SEMINARS (2nd Tuesday of the month - speakers to be
confirmed):
13 February: David Singmaster
13 March: Smart
Geometry - speakers from Foster & Partners architects
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Dr Phillip Kent
London Knowledge Lab - Institute of Education
23 - 29 Emerald St
London WC1N 3QS
[log in to unmask]
tel 020 7763 2156 mobile 07950 952034
www.ioe.ac.uk/tlrp/technomaths
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