Kate Jones

Artist and President
Kadon Enterprises, Inc.
Pasadena, Maryland, USA

I create and make original tiling sets (playable art) of geometric combinatorial concepts. Each set can be rearranged to form amazing symmetries and combinations. Each set has its own unique mathematical properties. We produce them in lasercut acrylic in vibrant colors, where the colors themselves are part of the character of each set. Designed in framed holding trays for display as art on an easel. They are intriguing to play with, with simpler models suitable even for children. Solutions can be found by hand and also lend themselves to computer searches. Many of my designs are members of and can be plotted on the grids of the 17 classic symmetry groups.

Pentarose
Pentarose
28 x 28 x 1 cm
Acrylic (Lucite) -- laser-cut
1996

Developed from Roger Penrose's prototiles for non-periodic tiling. The tiles are tessellated pentagons and partial stars (pentagrams) with two little rhombs to form a decagon with symmetry of shapes and colors. The pentagons appear with permutations of convex and concave edges and are given names to suit: cloverleaf, maple leaf, poplar leaf. In round tray on display stand, Pentarose forms an ever-changing work of art. The 4 colors can be grouped or separated. One of the 12 puzzle challenges listed remains unsolved, open to the world. Interesting phenomenon: the two small rhombs can be both on the border, both in the interior, or one of each.