David, Michael, and Evan Swart
Artists
Statement
David Swart creates mathematical artwork that, more often than not, involve projections that map imagery from the sphere to the plane and vice versa. He prefer to "grow his own" software which allows him the flexibility to explore mathematical ideas in his own way. David's goal is to create visual puzzles that demonstrate the fascinating aspects of themes that interest him. This year David is happy to submit some joint work with his son Evan Swart and his twin brother, Michael Swart. Michael Swart is a practiced illustrator who enjoys creating works with a comicbook style. Evan is passionate about sketching and especially enjoys drawing in pencil, pencil crayon and pen.
Artworks
Spherical panoramas and ways to view them are now commonplace. Most of this content is either photographic or digitally generated. We set out to create a panorama that is hand drawn as much as possible: using no computer models or photographs.
Armed with an understanding of the equirectangular projection, a ruler and a protractor, David created a hand-drawn grid to aid with the perspective; he then drew a pencil sketch, measuring his backyard with an outstretched hand.
Michael added inking and colors to a scan of the sketch using Adobe Illustrator to give it a clean graphic style.
The final panorama can be viewed in an immersive display. A digital print of the equirectangular projection is provided for the art show.
Crow
38 x 29 cm
Woodcut print from two blocks with gold and black ink
2016
Cartography concerns itself with mapping the globe to a flat map. Because it is impossible to do so without introducing distortions, there is a rich variety of map projections with enough flexibility to explore artistically.
We have developed a projection that looks like a bird by judiciously unpeeling the globe like an orange peel using our own personal software.
In order to rescue this design from its digital existence, we have created a limited edition print. Hand printed in gold and black ink from two hand carved blocks.
This is the second print by Evan and David in a woodcut series featuring animals that fold into a passable papercraft globes.