Carlo Séquin
My professional work in computer graphics and geometric design provides a bridge between mathematics and the world of art. Stimuli flow in both directions. Since 1994 I have collaborated with wood sculptor Brent Collins. I have analyzed some of his inspirational pieces and captured possible underlying generative paradigms in parameterized computer programs. These programs could then be used to create new artwork belonging to the same family - but at larger scales or in different materials such as metal or stone. On other occasions I am trying to make an instructive visualization model for a mathematical concept. Trying to make these models clear, as well as visually attractive, often yields pleasing sculptural maquettes.
This sculpture was designed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of
American Mathematical Socciety.
It consists of 125 tetrahedra arranged to depict twenty-five
"5-cell" frames, each composed of 5 tetrahedra.
The 4-dimensional simplex, also called the 5-cell, is composed of
five tetrahedra.
Here it has been projected into 3D Euclidean space so as to form a
3-sided bi-pyramid
with three tetrahedra sharing the central edge running between the
two pyramid tips.
Twenty-five of those double-pyramids outline again the same
scaled-up projection of a 5-cell,
placing five bi-pyramids at the vertices and two bi-pyramids along
each of the ten edges of the 5-cell.