Picture this: a mug and a doughnut walk into a café. The barista squints and says, “Wow, I’ve never seen twins so alike!” The doughnut grins, “Topology—it’s a hole new world!”
Mug to Doughnut: A Topological Twist
The Paradox Vault
One of my earliest visual brain-benders: Push or pull? Think your money’s safe in this vault? Spoiler alert—it’s an impossible figure! The bottom of the door swings away, while the top comes right at you. Mind-boggling, right?
Check it out in my online gallery.
Rediscover the Beauty of Visual Mathematics
Explore the captivating fusion of art and math in the world of Visual Mathematics. Dive into intricate diagrams, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking designs that stimulate both the mind and the eye. Visit the Archimedes Lab online gallery to find posters and t-shirts showcasing the elegance of math art.
Enhance your school, home or office with thoughtful, math-inspired designs!
The Intrigue of Simplicity
“A world without problems is an illusion, so is a world without solutions.” – Gianni A. Sarcone
According to the second rule of Sarcone & Waeber’s puzzle-solving principles, “nothing is ever as simple as it seems.” This is why we enjoy deceptively simple puzzles that seem almost impossible to solve. Here’s a classic topological puzzle you can create and enjoy with your kids.
You can explore the full set of puzzle-solving rules by Sarcone & Waeber here: https://www.archimedes-lab.org/sarcone_rules.html
The Triangles of Beauty
“All shapes and forms can lead us to an understanding of the invisible.” — Paul Klee
Introducing my latest creation, Triangles of Beauty—a minimalist mosaic that seamlessly blends geometric precision with visual intrigue. This op art piece features a striking arrangement of equilateral triangles in warm sepia tones, harmonizing rich shades of brown and beige to create a captivating visual experience.
The triangle is a powerful symbol of balance and unity. In this artwork, the simple arrangement of trivial shapes illustrates how even these unremarkable elements can come together to form something greater. By stepping back and observing the alignment of triangles, you can uncover an iconic portrait within this piece. This work highlights the brain’s remarkable ability to recognize a hidden figure, particularly a face, and encourages reflection on the connections and relationships that shape our perceptions.
You can explore Triangles of Beauty and other thought-provoking creations in my online galleries:
Geometric Magic Square
An area magic square is a kind of magic square where the numbers represent the areas of the colored sections in which they appear. This drawing by William Walkington is inspired by the construction techniques of Walter Trump.
⇨ Read more.
Ambigram Magic Squares
When using standard characters, the digits 0, 1, and 8 are symmetrical around the horizontal axis, while 6 and 9 are interchangeable when rotated 180 degrees.
With these digits, we can create magic squares that maintain their constant sum even when flipped, as illustrated below.
Interestingly, when these numbers are represented in LCD style, we can also include the digit 2, which resembles a 5 when inverted. This allows for the creation of magic squares with additional properties related to both 2D and 3D symmetry—whether flipped or mirrored—such as the remarkable example created by Chris Wardle.
This isn’t the first magic square to exhibit such fascinating properties; there are many variations out there. I encourage you to explore and discover your own creations online. If you have original ideas for magic squares with these unique characteristics, we would love for you to share them with us!
For those interested in learning more about the history and mathematics behind magic squares, check out this fascinating article from the Royal Institution: The Fascination of Magic Squares.
More links of interest:
[1] https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/fascination-magic-squares
[2] https://math.hmc.edu/funfacts/magic-squares-indeed/
[3] https://patcherymenagerie.blogspot.com/2019/07/magic-squares.html
[4] https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/magic-squares-fun-fact-and-more/
[5] https://mathcommunities.org/magic-squares/
[6] https://www.magischvierkant.com/links-eng/
[7] https://chelekmaths.com/2020/06/30/cracking-the-cryptic-joy-and-magic-squares/
[8] https://www.byrdseed.tv/magic-squares/
Cylindrical Anamorphosis of Hand With Reflecting Sphere
M.C. Escher’s 1935 lithograph Hand With Reflecting Sphere inspired artist Kelly M. Houle to create her own interpretation in charcoal on illustration board. When a cylindrical mirror is placed at the center, it produces a striking reflection. Houle explains, “When the original image is bent and stretched into a circular swath, the shadows seem to fall in all directions. When the curved mirror is used to reflect the anamorphic distortion, the forms take on the familiar rules of light and shading, making them appear three-dimensional” (Kelly M. Houle, “Portrait of Escher: Behind the Mirror,” in D. Schattschneider and M. Emmer, eds., M.C. Escher’s Legacy, 2003).
Cylindrical anamorphosis is an art technique that creates distorted images that appear normal when viewed through a cylindrical mirror, manipulating perspective and light to produce a three-dimensional effect from a two-dimensional surface.
About Kelly M. Houle
Kelly M. Houle is known for her work in anamorphic art and illuminated manuscripts. Her projects often blend artistic expression with scientific themes, such as her illuminated manuscript based on Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. She has exhibited her work widely and continues to explore innovative techniques in contemporary art.
For more information about her work, visit Kelly M. Houle’s website.
Invisible Artworks: The Absurdity of Nothingness in Contemporary Art?
In the world of contemporary art, the concept of invisibility has become an imaginative playground for creativity. Here’s a glimpse into some intriguing—and often humorous or haunting—examples of invisible artworks that challenge our perceptions and redefine what art can be.
Notable Invisible Artworks:
1. Yves Klein – ‘Zone de Sensibilité Picturale Immatérielle’ (1959)
Klein sold ownership of empty space, allowing collectors to own nothingness itself. A bold move that encourages us to consider the value of absence!
2. Marinus Boezem – ‘Show V: Immateriële ruimte’ (1965)
This piece features “air doors” made of cold and warm air currents, inviting viewers to experience immateriality.
3. Michael Asher – ‘Vertical Column of Accelerated Air’ (1966)
Asher composed a work entirely of drafts of pressurized air, encouraging participants to engage through sensation rather than sight.
4. Art & Language – ‘Air-Conditioning Show’ (1967)
This installation featured an empty room with two air conditioning units, emphasizing that the true art lies in the feelings and conversations it inspires. Talk about a cool concept!
5. James Lee Byars – ‘The Ghost of James Lee Byars’ (1969)
Byars designed a pitch-black room, inviting visitors to contemplate emptiness. It’s like stepping into a fridge at midnight—dark and full of existential questions.
Continue reading “Invisible Artworks: The Absurdity of Nothingness in Contemporary Art?”A Remarkable Op’ Artwork Selected by NASA: ‘Moona Lisa’
Today, September 14th, we are thrilled to announce that Gianni Sarcone‘s op’ artwork “The Moona Lisa” has been selected as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day for the International Observe the Moon Night. This captivating piece, created in collaboration with astrophotographer Marcella Giulia Pace, showcases a stunning arrangement of lunar images that, when viewed from a distance, reveal the iconic portrait of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
The vibrant colors of the moons are naturally derived from atmospheric conditions and sunlight reflections at various times, creating a unique visual experience. “The Moona Lisa” not only pays homage to da Vinci’s genius but also highlights the remarkable capacity of our brains to recognize faces, even when obscured.
You can explore the full image and learn more about it on NASA’s website.
Additionally, prints of this op artwork are available for purchase in our online gallery. It’s a unique opportunity to own a piece that celebrates the Moon and reinterprets a Leonardo-inspired icon through a captivating visual illusion.
Join us in celebrating this fusion of art and science, and experience the magic of “The Moona Lisa.”
This GIF illustrates the creation process of Moona Lisa. For more details, visit Sarcone’s Behance page.
