Pseudo-arc for the People -
A Statement by Dermot Wilson and Murat Tuncali
What if a series of pictures about the crooked and wide (opposite of the straight and narrow) helped us determine that no matter how crooked our pathway, no matter how many twists and turns we must take or obstacles we must overcome, we could be assured of two things:
- that we are definitely moving forward, and
- that we will reach our destination?
Many topological objects studied by mathematicians early in the 20th Century became very important in the study of natural phenomena in recent decades. Some of them can not be represented entirely using drawings or computer graphics despite the fact mathematicians gave precise instructions for the construction of them. On Nov. 6, 2004, the results of an experiment to visualize a plausible but undrawable object, pseudo-arc, will be displayed simultaneously on the world wide web and in the White Water Gallery in North Bay, Ontario.
Topologists have been working on this collaboration for about a year now. For the opening, Dr. Wayne Lewis, who studies pseudo-arc and related mathematical objects, will fly in from Lubbock, Texas, to test these visualizations and to discuss ways of seeing the object. On Friday, Nov. 12th, Professor Wayne Lewis will speak at Nipissing University’s Topology Seminar as part of this weekend of events that showcase a unique collaboration between theoretical mathematicians and contemporary media artist, Dermot Wilson.
Wilson’s multimedia installation entitled “Pseudo-arc 4 the People” includes videos and animations made to illustrate how the infinitely crooked line (the pseudo-arc) would look if it was quite a bit less than infinitely crooked. The show consists of a series of giclee prints, a large video projection, posters, a web site (www.pseudoarc.com), and an interactive 3D environment that visitors to the gallery can enter and walk through to discover various videos and animations.
The exhibition component of this experiment was constructed by Dermot Wilson. Best known for his video installation and performance work within a collective called: Machyderm Inc, Wilson has begun , with works like ‘Lectric Chair and Pseudo-arc for the people, to make reflexive art that focuses on scientific theories and allows viewers to participate directly in the experience of discovering ideas and new forms of expression.
Dr. Murat Tuncali, topologist collaborator for this project, is a professor of mathematics at Nipissing University in North Bay. His research deals with pseudo-arc and related objects. Nipissing University has an internationally known research group which specializes in Topology . The university partially funded this project.
The opening reception for “Pseudo-arc 4 the People” starts at 4 pm, November 13th, 2004 at the Martini Lounge in the lobby of the Capitol Theatre and moves to the White Water gallery, 147 Worthington St., East in downtown North Bay at 5:30 pm.
The exhibition runs to December 4th, 2004. For more information: 705-476-2444. The show is sponsored by Canada Council for Arts and Ontario Arts Council.
