Artists
Statement
I am a retired mathematician and enjoy creating assembly puzzles from intriguing geometric solids. The challenge is to decompose the target shape into a small number of pieces which can interlock to form this shape. In the design process, one must carefully consider the symmetry of the target shape, and often during the process one finds new insights and understanding of the geometry involved. I have several 3D printers, and my medium is PLA or PETG plastic.
Artworks
Compound of Four and Five Cubes Puzzles
15.0 x 30.0 x 15.0 cm
PLA plastic
2024
Compound of Five Cubes: This piece was inspired by a wood model made by Wayne Daniel. Creating it in plastic is easier but each piece is still made by gluing 15 small pieces. It comes apart in 10 pieces identical in shape but colored differently. It is quite challenging to assemble this puzzle.
Compound of Four Cubes: A completely different puzzle made from four identical pieces. This polyhedron is also known as Bakos' solid, it has octahedral symmetry. The puzzle is assembled with difficulty using coordinate-motion (all four pieces move simultaneously).