2012 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Judith Silver
Artists
Judith Silver
Professor of Mathematics
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia
Statement
My work has been developed in conjunction with an art and mathematics seminar for the Yeager Scholars at Marshall University. Each piece is designed to illustrate a mathematical concept.
Artworks
Logarithmic Dream
31 x 25 inches
Metal
2011
The logarithmic spiral is one of the most beautiful curves in mathematics. In particular, this composition was inspired by the function 1/ln(r) -.25. The spirals were made from bendable metal rods, which were wrapped around a wooden jig shaped like the biblical "Tower of Babel". Each spiral was clipped so that consecutive diameters would approximate the golden ratio (about .618).