Yvette Kaiser Smith

Statement

I make wall-based, geometric abstractions by inventing systems for visualizing numerical values of sequences from the numbers pi and e by utilizing grids and repetition of simple geometric shapes. Numbers are the direct source of abstraction. Majority of my past works are geometric, crocheted fiberglass constructions. In 2013, I began exploring new systems of mapping sequences, anchored in drawings that range from simple notations as graph plots to complex layered patterns that visualize hundreds of digits. In 2016, this exploration led to a new body of work in laser cut acrylic sheet with template-like cut-outs, with some stacking and use of shallow spacers. Here, simple geometric shapes and panel placement plot numerical values.

Artworks

This 8" x 5" sketchbook contains 37 figures found by a system that plots sequences from pi and e on a graph. Two digits create a point. I follow a sequence to drop several points, then join them in sequential order to create a new form. So far, I have briefly tested 4-point, 5-point, 8-point, and 12-point figures, either solo or two or more in each graph. Left page in image shows bleed-through from previous figure and notes for figure 31. Figure 31 is a four-dimensional graph of 44 sequential digits of pi.

This grid maps the first 701 digits of the number e. Mapped in several passes, value of digit determines where mark is dropped. Each pass uses a different marking system. I stopped when interesting clusters began to appear.