Charlene Morrow
I work mainly in the medium of modular origami. I am motivated to understand mathematical ideas by attempting to express these ideas in visual ways. I am deeply impressed by the ways that visually pleasing art often emerges through the process of trying to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical ideas I set out to explore. I also find that new questions emerge as I look for ways to express my original questions. The dialectical process of mathematical question – visual expression – mathematical question engages my imagination and allows me to experience both the beauty and the power of mathematics.
Colored tiling based on the newly discovered 15th tiling pentagon. The background is constructed to show the primitive 12-tile unit with an overlay to suggest one way to color the tiling so as to disguise the primitive unit. This first work serves as a departure point for exploring three variations. The first evolution uses the primitive unit, but laid out in a non-tiling format so as to create new areas between the units that, when considered themselves, constitute a complete tiling. A subsequent evolution is made with a new 12-tile "twist" unit that does not tile, but does produce a beautiful floral-like design. A third evolution is made by taking an interior space created in evolution two and creating a completely new design.