Fragments of Infinity: A Kaleidoscope of Math and Art

In this stunning visual journey, best-selling, award-winning author Ivars Peterson guides us to the crossroads of mathematics and art, creativity and imagination--and challenges long-held notions about the ways in which these connect.

Most of us have been led to believe that mathematics is right-brian work, art is left-brain work, case closed. Not so. This intriguing book shows just how intertwined the two disciplines are, while sharing exciting glimpes of artists enthralled by the unlimited possibilities offered by mathematically guided eplorations. Portraying the works of many contemporary mathematicians who are also artists working in media, from metals to glass to snow, or whose mathematical thoughts have inspired others to create, Fragments of Infinity draws us into the mysteries of this rich and surprising intersection.

The realm of mathematical art is far wider and more diverse than many people realize. It encompasses the precisely geometric masterpieces by Renaissance painters, the intriguing visual conundrums of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, and Salvador Dali's thought-provoking representations of a transcendental fourth dimension. Contemporary artists have found inspiration in the mathematics of Fibonacci numbers and the digits of pi, or in the geometry of tetrahedra and Mobius strips.

From one-sided surfaces and four-dimensional spaces to self-similar structures and other bizarre or seemingly impossible features of modern math, we are privy to this collaboration in action as concepts and principles are given visible expression. Featuring more than 250 beautiful illustrations and photographs of artworks--28 in full color--ranging from sculptures both massive and minute to elaborate geometric tapestries and mosaics of startling complexity, this is an absorbing expedition into the world of abstract shapes, space, and time made tangible.

"Peterson's knowledge of and affection for mathematics comes through with every word." San Diego Union Tribune

"Ivars Peterson, is, in short, the math teacher everyone wishes they had in high school." Publishers Weekly

"Peterson shows that mathematicians are a gregarious bunch and that the problems they work on are vitally important to us...best of all, he makes it fun." Washington Post Book World

A visual journey to the intersection of math and imagination, guided by an award-winning author

Mathematics is right brain work, art left brain, right? Not so. This intriguing book shows how intertwined the disciplines are. Portraying the work of many contemporary artists in media from metals to glass to snow, Fragments of Infinity draws us into the mysteries of one-sided surfaces, four-dimensional spaces, self-similar structures, and other bizarre or seemingly impossible features of modern mathematics as they are given visible expression. Featuring more than 250 beautiful illustrations and photographs of artworks ranging from sculptures both massive and minute to elaborate geometric tapestries and mosaics of startling complexity, this is an enthralling exploration of abstract shapes, space, and time made tangible.

Ivars Peterson (Washington, DC) is the mathematics writer and online editor of Science News and the author of The Jungles of Randomness (Wiley: 0-471-16449-6), as well as four previous trade books.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-224) and index.

Ivars Peterson is the mathematics writer and online editor of Science News and the author of The Jungles of Randomness as well as other books. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Preface.

1. Gallery Visits.

2. Theorems in Stone.

3. A Place in Space.

4. Plane Folds.

5. Grid Fields.

6. Crystal Visions.

7. Strange Sides.

8. Minimal Snow.

9. Points of View.

10. Fragments.

Further Readings.

Credits.

Index.