You are here

Math Points to Art and Poetry in New York's Bowery This Fall

September 9, 2009

In a novel attempt to explore connections between mathematics and the arts, mathematician and artist John Sims is organizing a series of nine exhibitions in New York City in which poets respond to math-inspired artworks.

The series, titled "The Rhythm of Structure: Mathematics, Art and Poetic Reflection," will take place at New York's Bowery Poetry Club, where Sims is Artist in Residence. Starting in mid-September, each exhibition, running 4 to 6 weeks, will have a different theme, as represented by a pair of artists. During each exhibition, two poets will perform their responses to the artworks on display. The series will be filmed for a documentary and form the basis of an art catalog.

"The group structure of the shows is designed to stimulate a dialog around the use of structure and reflection via the poetic lens," Sims says. It aims to illuminate the "visual language of mathematical ideas and process."

To stimulate interest in the uses of structure, the series begins on Sept. 11, 2009, with "Circles and Squares," featuring the artists John Hiigli and Vandorn Hinnant. The poets will be Christina Schmitt and Summer Hill Seven. Yael Archer will perform Sims' composition "Monk/pi + Bach/√2."

Upcoming artist pairings include Sol LeWitt and Adrian Piper; Karen Finley and John Sims; Paul D. Miller (DJ Spooky) and Dread Scott; Paulus Gerdes and Ken Hiratsuka; and Anjali Bhargava and Swati Khurana.

During the "Rhythm of Structure" series, students from the advanced art class at the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE), under the direction of teacher Jennifer Lemish, will present a group show of work exploring mathematics, art, and nature. The final show will present the installation of HyperQuilt, featuring geometric quilts from different communities from around the country. 

Source: http://www.bowerypoetry.com/#Art_Wall

Id: 
664
Start Date: 
Wednesday, September 9, 2009