Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Thank you Steve for pointing out this object.

It's a member of a very rare set, viz. modern sculpture that's intriguing. It's intriguing because it's mathematical, of course:

The subject of the projection is a regular 4-dimensional solid of intermediate complexity, which Ocneanu calls an "octacube." It has 24 vertices, 96 edges and 96 triangular faces, which enclose 24 three-dimensional "rooms." Windows cut in faces allow the viewer to see within the structure, the same way that a window in a cubic room opens to the inside of the cube. Physically, the sculpture is a giant puzzle of 96 triangular pieces cut from stainless steel and bent into spherical shape.
How wonderful! I can't comment on the mathematics, as a) the article doesn't offer enough, and 2) honestly, I can barely visualize a simple hypercube. Again I say, how wonderful! I also find the hopes of the sculpture's sponsor refreshingly optimistic concerning the spiritual benefits of experiencing mathematical truth: "It would be great if everyone who views the Octacube walks away with the feeling that being kind to others is a good way to live." She need fear no disappointment of this noble desire: for the regularity and beauty of noumenal truth can never fail to regulate and beautify the soul, and though such truth move the soul only through the shadowy and imperfect pathway of the senses, yet still, if she be allowed to come into contact with the inward mind of man, his deepest mind will surely seek accord with such evident perfection.

Can anyone point me toward more photos or better explanation of this creation?

1 comment:

Odious said...

If you're visualizing a hypercube, even "barely", you're doing all right. Which bit needs explanation?

A link to the animation. Lazy, lazy editors over at Daily Science News.