When:
Open now through January 5, 2020
Where:
National Museum of Mathematics
11 East 26th Street
New York, NY
Math Unfolded: An Exhibit of Mathematical Origami Art is now being exhibited at The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), the only math museum in North America.
This exhibition features 66 pieces of art made by 24 of the world’s most highly regarded origami artists currently working at the intersection of art and mathematics, including: Robert Lang, Erik Demaine, Charlene Morrow, Adrienne Sack, Matt Shlian, WinWin, Ben Fritzson, Ben Parker, Chris Palmer, Jeannine Mosely, Kate Lukesheva, Alessandra Lamio, Madonna Yoder, Duks Koschitz, Satoshi Kamiya, Beth Johnson, Tom Hull, David Huffman, Faye Goldman, Rebeca Geiseking, Marty Demaine, Joel Cooper, Serena Cicaló, and Alessandro Beber.
Partnering with Origami USA, the exhibit was created by MoMath to explain the various geometric shapes, designs, and mathematical patterns used to design origami, and where we can find these same mathematical designs in the world around us.
MoMath’s spokesperson explains, “The exhibit includes commentary explaining the mathematical ideas and concepts that were used by each artist to transform a piece of paper into a compelling work of art that embodies the beauty of mathematics. The exhibition also explores origami that has been created using the same mathematical algorithms used to design technology such as airbags, solar arrays, medical stents, and temporary shelters in disaster relief.”
“Origami offers a very rich environment for exploring the interplay between mathematics and art,” explains Charlene Morrow, Chair of the Board for Origami USA. Morrow continues, “Origami offers an alternative way to gaze into mathematics’ beautiful soul. I want visitors to be amazed about what an artist can do with a piece of paper, and then realize they are looking at the expression of beautiful mathematical ideas.”
“Math Unfolded: An Exhibit of Mathematical Origami Art” is curated by Charlene Morrow, Chair of the Board, Origami USA, and Wendy Zeichner, the CEO of Origami USA.
For more information visit the National Museum of Mathematics website
Photos courtesy of Mark Kornbluth
The photos look great, but on top of me having some disagreeableness with the Museum of Mathematics (being asked to leave one time) the exhibit does not appear to show forward that much about peace, which is still a central theme in Origami and Origami Design. They obviously favor complexity too greatly and also I would like to see an artist like Joseph Wu as a player in the exhibit. Joel Cooper has been a favorite of Erik Demaine and it is refreshing to see his work in the exhibit, but still maybe one could do without the numerous spiraling mathematical techniques here, more varying concept strong pieces could have an educational impact.
It is so refreshing to read these insights– from someone obviously well-schooled in origami and origami design. As someone who folded a 1000 cranes every Hiroshima Day as a child at summer camp, it is of great interest to learn that this is not tangential but central to origami. THANK YOU!