Ralph van Raaij

Statement

I have always been fascinated by picture books for children that contain images where you can look for hidden objects. In my drawings I try to create fantasy worlds that you can imagine being in yourself. When I started to include mathematical objects and concepts I decided to avoid using compass and ruler as much as possible. Polyhedra are largely hand drawn to obtain a more lively effect, preserving the atmosphere of a children's book. So these are mathematical drawings not in their geometrical precision, but in theme. My dream is to make series of drawings that exhibit mathematical concepts in a picturebook format. Maybe it will appeal to the child in mathematicians of all ages. And to the mathematician in children of all ages.

Artworks

The drawing depicts a pentagonal table mountain, joined by five bridges to five triangular mountains, together forming a pentagram. A large number five forms the main street pattern of the town on top. Many buildings are based on pentagonal forms, hinting towards anthroposophical architecture. The five platonic solids are large monuments on the points of the pentagram. On a lower level decagram the concept of duality is illustrated by a second appearance of the five solids.

This drawing is more of a puzzle page, and contains many references to the dodecahedron and the number 12. The large building based on a regular dodecahedron is obvious. Other references include some monuments that are irregular dodecahedra, the number 12 as a ground plan for buildings, or as the open space between buildings. There is also a very stylized appearance of the Schlälfli symbol for the dodecadron.