David Krider

Breaking Waves is a cherry wood sculpture that illustrates the concept of a minimal surface. Imagine a soap film stretched across a frame; the resulting shape is a minimal surface. In this artwork, the "frame" is a trefoil knot and a circle encompassing it. The wood is broken along the diameter, evoking the disruptive force of waves. This break is filled with transparent epoxy, signifying resilience and continuity despite breakage. The smooth, flowing surface of the wood, juxtaposed with the sharp lines of the break, creates a visual tension that mirrors the interplay of forces in nature. I am indebted to Dr. Henrik Schumacher who was instrumental in constructing a mathematical model of the surface.

"Knotted Wood" is a trefoil knot, a simple knot with three crossings, carved from cherry wood. The choice of wood as a medium gives the piece with a sense of natural warmth and organic connection. The trefoil knot, a fundamental form in knot theory, symbolizes interconnectedness and continuity. The smooth, polished surface of the wood invites tactile exploration, encouraging viewers to engage with the knot's complex geometry.