February 29, 2016

Clouds in the Valley


Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park, Alberta. 1977.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 28, 2016

Barcelona Olympic Cauldron


Olympic Cauldron 1992. Barcelona, 2007.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 27, 2016

Atrium Rectangles


Atrium, Biblical Studies Building, Abilene Christian University. Abilene, Texas, 2010.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 26, 2016

Twisted Donut


Topological III by Robert R. Wilson. Science Center, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2000. 

Photo by I. Peterson

February 25, 2016

Vine Trails


Maze of bare vines trailing across a concrete wall. Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley, California, 2011.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 24, 2016

February 23, 2016

Six-Crossing Link


Six-Crossing Link by Robert Fathauer. Displayed at Gathering 4 Gardner 10, Atlanta, 2012. Each of the linked loops has three half-twists. The loops cross in six places.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 22, 2016

February 21, 2016

Brick Torus


Umbilic Torus by Daniel Whalen, constructed from LEGO bricks. Bridges 2012, Towson University, Maryland.



For more about Helaman Ferguson's Umbilic Torus, which inspired the LEGO version, see "Umbilic Torus, Writ Large."

Photos by I. Peterson

February 20, 2016

Stars and Squares


Mosaic panel with pattern of stars, squares, and other geometric shapes made from colored stones, Antioch, 3rd century A.D. Baltimore Museum of Art, 2012.

For other ancient mosaics at the Baltimore Museum of Art, see "Ancient Mosaic Design" and "Solomon's Knot."

Photo by I. Peterson

February 19, 2016

Rock Trio


Three Sisters (eroded sandstone formation), Echo Point Katoomba. Blue Mountains, Australia, 1979.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 18, 2016

Two Tetrahedra


To explore the strikingly different appearance of a geometrical sculpture as its orientation changes, sculptor Arthur Silverman constructed small cardboard models; in this case, a pair of elongated tetrahedra stuck together to form a single unit.



For more about Arthur Silverman, see "Three Sentinels." 

Photos by I. Peterson

February 17, 2016

Wall Flowers


Wall flowers. Huntsville, Texas, 2011.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 16, 2016

Transit Waves


Stylized wave design, Spadina streetcar route. Toronto, 2009.



Photos by I. Peterson

February 14, 2016

Minimal Sweet Pea


Minimal surfaces of sweet pea blossoms. Port Hope, Ontario, 1979.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 13, 2016

Sliceforms


Sliceform constructions (mathematical models from paper sections) by John Sharp. Second Annual Conference of the International Society of the Arts, Mathematics and Architecture (ISAMA 2000), University at Albany, Albany, New York, 2000.


Photos by I. Peterson

February 12, 2016

Shaping Sounds


Scrapple by Golan Levin. Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2015.

In the computer-operated “Scrapple” system, an overhead video camera registers the positions and shapes of the objects on the table. A projector generates the sliding, glowing bar visible on the surface. Special software links the moving bar with the objects. It also determines what sounds correspond to each shape and runs the sound synthesizer.


Photos by I. Peterson

February 11, 2016

Brehm Moebius


The Brehm model of a Moebius strip is constructed from three identical polygonal pieces.


Photo by I. Peterson

February 10, 2016

Lava Life


New growth in the lava. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, 1983.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 9, 2016

February 8, 2016

Step Lines


Structure lines and angles. Portland, Oregon, 2009.

For more from Portland, Oregon, see "A Mathematical Eye on Portland," "Roof Triangles," and "Artwall in Steel."

Photo by I. Peterson

February 7, 2016

Organic Plastic


Detail from an art installation, The Great Indoors, by Aurora Robson. Rice Gallery, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 2008.


This display of organic forms reminiscent of deep-sea creatures, microorganisms, and jungle plants was constructed from 15,000 plastic bottles. 


Photos by I. Peterson

February 6, 2016

Fractal Hawaii


Rugged coastlines, jagged rocks, billowy clouds, and crashing waves are examples of natural forms that resemble self-similar mathematical objects called fractals. Hawaii, 1983.

Photo by I. Peterson

February 5, 2016

Stadium at Delphi


Stadium at Delphi, Greece, 1978.


At the starting blocks.


Photos by I. Peterson

February 4, 2016

Impulse Generator Warning


Warning sign accompanying million-volt impulse generator display. Science Museum, London, 1975.

For other photos of Science Museum displays, see "Orrery Clockwork" and "Viral Symmetry."

Photo by I. Peterson

February 3, 2016

Water Jets


Decorative fountain with parabolic water jets. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, 2010.

For more about this fountain, see "Fountain Parabolas."

Photo by I. Peterson

February 2, 2016

A Simple Maze


A simple maze as building decoration. Bank of America Financial Center, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 2010.


Photos by I. Peterson

February 1, 2016

Drilling for Oil


Oil drilling rig. Colorado, 1983.


Photos by I. Peterson