This project explores the highly mathematical world of Islamic geometric patterns.

Islamic design is one of the world's great artistic traditions, but not much is known about the methods used by artisans in centuries past to construct them. One of the first attempts to formalize the geometry behind Islamic patterns was E.H. Hankin's seminal 1908 paper "Polygons in Contact", which remains a key technique today. Our project combines the approach described by Hankin with transformations of designs found at real-world historical sites.

Two Mathematicians avoids traditional ornamentation and colouring. It seeks to find beauty in the geometry of the patterns themselves, embellishing only with subtle combinations of basic line and dot shapes. Its two archetypes contrast the precision and order found in Islamic patterns with the informality of a rough draft. In that, it reflects the personalities of its creators, alternating between the obsessive need for order and exactness, and the embrace of just winging it.

Controls:
- Zoom in or out with scroll wheel, or arrow up/down. 
- Press 'i' to see the underlying structure.

Two Mathematicians

Computational sigils for a digital altar. Patterns emerging from the vibrations of sound waves, seen but not heard.

Sigils

Perpetua is a collection of generative weavings.
 
Fabric emerges from a series of binary choices as horizontal threads go over or under vertical threads. These decisions are interconnected, systematic, and give rise to an infinite variety of patterns, making weaving an ancient generative art. In essence, weaving is a practice of meticulous matrix multiplication calculated in threads. 

We construct each Perpetua image, just like many weavers do, as the product of three binary matrices (the “treadling”, “tie-up”, and “threading”). This kind of design schematic is called a weaving draft and it allows us to converse with traditional weaving patterns and symbols while also extending into alien weavings that would be physically impossible to produce.

Perpetua

Last of the 70s Pops, gone but not quite dead 👻 nothing but black & white groovy patterns, perfect for colouring in. Some people say the spirits of the 70s haunt these, but that would be ridiculous! All Ξ from primary sales will be going to the Women Who Code non-profit organisation.

70s Pop Ghost Bonus Pack 👻

Leaving a room doesn't free you, it only shifts you to a newly constrained space. Your freedom is bound by parameters. This is Parametric Freedom. Use arrows to control wind and gravity and space bar to stop animation. Type M or L to increase or decrease density. Would you like a PNG?  Just hit S.

Art Blocks Presents

Two Mathematicians #232

BY MA

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