Laura Taalman

Statement

Laura Taalman is a Professor of Mathematics at James Madison University whose research and artistic work explores patterns, games, and rule-based pattern generation, bridging traditional and modern crafts through physical making. Their current work focuses on computational fiber arts, including global community art projects and the development of publicly accessible mathematical pattern-generation software for knitting, crochet, weaving, and vintage punch card knitting machines. “My work explores structure and patterns created through carefully crafted algorithms and controlled randomness. My goal is to create works and systems that invite others into the design process -- creating community, and allowing the community itself to create.”

Artworks

The Granny Life artwork includes 242 crocheted granny squares created by crafters, artists, and mathematicians from more than a dozen countries, carefully arranged and attached together on two distinct sides, "Day" and "Night". The squares were created using a new crochet technique developed by the artist to accommodate detailed, pixellated motifs. A custom two-dimensional cellular automata was also developed for these crochet stitch structures, to create motifs that naturally work together and form a cohesive final artwork. The arrangement of squares on each side was carefully chosen using an optimized pattern of simultaneous non-attacking 11-queens configurations, completed to a Latin square with as few pattern repeats as possible.