The University of Luxembourg, and more specifically the Department of Mathematics, will be at the Expo in Dubai from 22 February to 5 March 2022 with their project ReCreate. This is the second time the Department of Mathematics will have been present at the Expo following the success of the “Simplicity of Complexity”.
Shapes from the collective imagination
ReCreate has two main activities: ReShape and ReTrace, the former being linked to the project Sound of Data, a joint venture with the FNR and the Rockhal represented during the Esch 2022 ceremony. The aim of this project is to use collective human intelligence in order to create graphic compositions by using crowd sourced data.
In the first part of the project ReShape, visitors are invited to different forms of graphic compositions on a tablet. For this, an interactive station has been installed in the Maison du Savoir, on the ground floor. Everyone, including students and university staff, are invited to participate.
In the first activity, your composition is based on elementary geometric shapes. In the second design, participants will create a curve with their fingers and colored using a mathematical trick. The third activity is based on pixel art. The compositions can be sent to participants and will become part of a congregated visual display in Dubai.
ReTrace is based on the world of Quadratis puzzles. In this activity, puzzles are enjoyed differently than the usual brain game setup and participants to explore a network of puzzle configurations. They will be able to create beautiful visuals and share their art with friends and family. Puzzles can be played by downloading the app Quadratis (see http://quadratis.app).
Hugo Parlier and Bruno Teheux are the creators and masterminds behind this project and have answered some questions:
How did you come up with the idea of the project Reshape?
Bruno: We were both fascinated by the balance that abstract artists manage to obtain by combining elementary geometric ingredients. We wondered how much of this balance could be recovered by the creativity of the crowd, and that was the beginning of the project.
Why this initiative?
Hugo: Esch2022 was the perfect opportunity to harvest people’s input in a fun way. The project is part of the Sound of Data project, which means that these inputs will be used by musicians to compose new music. It’s a unique opportunity for mathematicians to participate in something distinctly artistic.
What is the goal of the project? Any specific findings?
Bruno: We have a global goal of showing mathematics in a different light. In this particular project, contemplation plays an important role. Participants are asked to participate by creating their graphic composition, and to contemplate the impact of their input in the collaborative piece of art. This is a perfect moment to raise questions about the mathematical processes behind these constructions.
Hugo: I think we’ll also be fueled by what people create. Once we have data, we’ll be able to test how it highlights either differences or whether there is a sense of universality in how people create. Come and help us by visiting the station at the MSA!
Explain briefly what can we expect to see at the Expo in Dubai.
Bruno: There are two parts: ReShape and ReTrace. For ReShape, we’ll have multiple stations where visitors can try their hand at visual creations. And at the same time, you’ll be able to see art pieces obtained by aggregating what visitors are creating in real time.
Hugo: ReTrace is closer to what was on display last December – it is related to Quadratis puzzles but this time with a creative touch. It’s a sort of giant collaborative paint-by-numbers / brain game experience, tailored to fit the collaborative art atmosphere.
The station will be at the MSA ground floor until 1 May 2022 and others will be available in different locations during the whole year.
More information on the project here