Bernhard Rietzl
I am interested in the combination of art and mathematics especially number theory. Prime numbers can be seen as the elements of the whole numbers, compound numbers literally are the products of these basic elements. It is like in chemistry where the chemical elements are the basis for all compound molecules.
This kinetic art object displays the numbers from 1 till 144. The
numbers are arranged in the form of a so called Ulam spiral with 1
in the center and consecutive numbers spiraling around the center
on a rectangular grid. The numbers are represented by stacks of
cubes, each cube standing for a prime divisor of that number. So
prime numbers are represented by a single cube, compound numbers
by stacks of two or more cubes. The prime divisors 2,3,5,7,11 and
13 are color coded
(2=green,3=red;5=yellow;7=blue;11=orange;13=purple), higher prime
divisors are coded by a black and white binary pattern on the
cube.
People are invited to go round the sculpture to explore the
mathematical aspects and also to experience the changing
impression of colors depending on the point of view.
The artwork can be extended by placing further boards round the
starting one.