Hugo Parlier and Bruno Teheux from the Department of Mathematics of the University of Luxembourg recently came back from the Expo in Dubai where their project ReCreate was showcased at the Luxembourg pavilion for 10 days. Following the success of The Simplicity of Complexity in December, the mathematicians imagined a highly visual and immersive environment which mixed art, puzzles and mathematics.
The first half of the installation (called ReShape) was an interactive art exhibition where visitors could create their own abstract composition by combining elementary geometric ingredients. These pieces of art were aggregated in stunning visual displays and will be used in the Sound of Data project for Esch 2022.
The second part (called ReTrace) was based on Quadratis which visitors could play but also explore and color a network of shapes, and thus visualize some of the ideas behind the puzzles.
With approximately 10,000 drawings collected, 10,000 puzzles played and 50,000 patterns explored, the success of the exhibit surpassed the organizers wildest expectations.
The director of the pavilion, Daniel Sahr, was very happy with the outcome: “Based on the huge success of the first exhibition in collaboration with Uni.lu, we were convinced that ReCreate would become a people magnet as well! We were very glad to see that the temporary exhibition attracted people from all over the world and that they were united by a common interest: to learn about mathematics in an interactive way”.
As Bruno points out: “A math outreach event with over 1000 visitors a day is already quite unique. But the best part is to see the joy on peoples’ faces as they create a piece of art or when they solve a difficult puzzle”.
Hugo has a word for all those who helped make it happen: “Thanks to the Quadratis and ReShape teams for doing such an amazing job on such short notice, to Ann Kiefer (LUCET), Hélène Halconruy (DMATH) and Laurent Loosveldt (DMATH) for being amazing mediators, to the Pavilion for hosting us, to the FNR, the FSTM and DMATH for funding and support. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
Check out this video (at minute 52:08) for a live interview in situ!
For more photos and information, click here
Learn more about The Simplicity of Complexity.