** PLEASE CIRCULATE ** ALL WELCOME ** FROM 2D MANDELBROT TO 3D MANDELBULB: A TOUR OF MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE An LKL Maths-Art seminar by Daniel White Thursday 12th May 2011, 6.00 - 7.30pm The word "fractal" may be an unfamiliar word for something which is actually all around us. It embodies the way large scale shapes are repeated at smaller scales. Examples found in nature include a lightning strike, snowflake, broccoli floret, or say, a tree. Consider how the tree trunk splits off into thicker branches, which then split off into smaller branches, and then how these in turn sprout twigs and then finally leaves. But the discovery of one of the most beautiful fractals has only been made possible since the advent of computers, due to the millions of calculations that are needed. It is known as the "Mandelbrot set", and was found by Benoit Mandelbrot about 30 years ago. No matter how far you zoom in, or how tiny the detail, there will always be further exquisite detail to be found. With its colourful and hypnotic patterns, it quickly found its way into the public imagination. However, elaborate and beautiful though the Mandelbrot may be, it has always remained only flat and two-dimensional. But not anymore, as for the first time, the "Mandelbulb" is a successful attempt to bring all that detail into glorious 3D, so that shadows, light sourcing and real depth become possible. Many previous attempts at finding a 3D version of the original 2D Mandelbrot have resulted only in simpler objects resembling "whipped cream" or extruded mountain scapes. Whilst often very nice to look at, these objects don't exhibit true fractal detail in all three dimensions. Like the original Mandelbrot, the Mandelbulb is a relatively simple extension of the same simple formula, and one which yields intricate, strange, but somehow compelling detail, forever. BIOGRAPHY: Based in Bedford, Daniel White has a degree in music and computing and is currently a part-time piano teacher, webmaster and programmer. After co-discovering the Mandelbulb in late 2009 with Paul Nylander, he has had his formula and pictures published in Nature, New Scientist, Discovery, and other publications internationally. With keen interests ranging from music composition, to art, maths and science, Daniel has always held a special interest in computer graphics and animation. DATE: Thursday 12th May TIME: 6.00 to 7.30pm PLACE: London Knowledge Lab, 23-29 Emerald St, London, WC1N 3QS [Travel information & maps at: http://bit.ly/LKL-MathsArt-venue ] NEXT SEMINAR: June 9, a special origami/maths-art meeting co-organised with the British Origami Society. NEW!! LKLMathsArt on YouTube: We are creating a YouTube archive of videos from the Maths-Art seminars. First online is Mary Harris from March: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E55779D8D0E3C022 http://www.youtube.com/user/LKLMathsArt Watch out for more videos. LKL Maths-Art seminars are free to attend, and All are welcome. No reservation is required, but an email to [log in to unmask] is appreciated for planning purposes ----------------------------------- *Visit the website and seminar archive: http://www.lkl.ac.uk/events/maths-art *LKLMathsArt on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/LKLMathsArt *Join the email list for future seminar announcements: http://www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/lkl-maths-art ++++++ Dr Phillip Kent, Visiting Fellow, London Knowledge Lab [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] www.phillipkent.net m: 07950 952034 ++++++