Frank Farris
Energized from the Illustrating Mathematics semester at the Institute
for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM), I
am passionate about promoting the role of mathematical art in the
broader community. Mathematical artists do more than reach out to
non-mathematicians. We make important contributions to mathematical
research, exposition, and education. Recent work involves creating
patterns invariant under various group actions using Grasshopper in
Rhino. The shapes may then be staged in scenes with texture mapping
and ray tracing, or printed as sculptures.
Inspired by George Hart's talk about polar zonohedra at the 2021
Bridges conference, I investigated possibilities for coloring
specimens from this wide class of rotationally-symmetric
polyhedra. Polar zonohedra are specified by a degree of rotational
symmetry and an angle of inclination. They can be rounded, like
the roof of our temple, with 15-fold symmetry, or pointy like the
half 13-fold zonohedron colored with wood grain. The stained glass
lamp, with 8 rhombi around each pole, illustrates a 2-coloring.
The showy gold-girded 21-fold zonohedron holds a pattern made from
a green flower. Competing for attention is a 13-fold zonohedron
with a p4g pattern from a wooden coaster crafted by Loren Larson.