2022 Joint Mathematics Meetings
Frank Farris
Artists
Frank A. Farris
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Santa Clara University
San Jose, CA
Statement
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.
Artworks
The Temple of Zonohedra: Balcony View
51 x 61 cm
Digital print on aluminum
2021
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.