Ingrid Daubechies, a mathematician at Duke University, specializes in the intricate art of crafting sugar cookies in the shape of pi, employing her expertise to handle the balance between precision and culinary delight. Her preferred recipe puts a savory twist on the traditional sweet treat, incorporating Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and herbs like thyme and marjoram for a more complex flavor profile.
In a notable baking feat during the summer of 2023, Dr. Daubechies designed a pi-shaped cookie cutter, ingeniously fashioned so that when utilized on a large sheet of dough, the cutters produce no wasteful leftover bits from one row of cookies to the next, thereby embodying the near-perfect tessellation of the mathematical constant pi across a two-dimensional plane. However, she notes that the reality of crumbs complicates achieving this perfection in practice.
Daubechies capitalizes on Pi Day (comparable to 3/14), which also coincides with the International Day of Mathematics, to further her mission of merging mathematics with art. In recognition of this day, she plans to visit the University of Quebec in Montreal, where she will guide special tours of “Mathemalchemy,” a multimedia installation that amalgamates mathematics and art, illustrating the beautifully complex tapestry of mathematical concepts through varying artistic mediums. This exhibit, which debuts at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington D.C. and has since toured multiple locations, epitomizes her dedication to her unique field of mathematical exploration that interweaves artistic expression and complex sets of numbers and rules.
“Mathemalchemy” has been described as a vivid and eclectic fusion of mathematical ideas brought to life within an art gallery, escaping genre confinements to create a science-themed eden where academic rigor meets aesthetic innovation. It showcases a spectrum of colors, textures, and crafting methods including beadwork, ceramics, and embroidery, among others, with each piece being an ode to a particular mathematical concept or theory.
The project continues to evolve, having inspired a comic book and a grants-driven fundraiser that not only successfully met its fundraising goal but also symbolizes the connection between math and art enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, the association with mathematics runs deep, with Dr. Daubechies showcasing works inspired by historical figures like Vladimir Arnold and exploring key concepts such as topology, cryptography, and computational mathematics, through interactive installations.
As Daubechies celebrates the International Day of Mathematics, the exhibition “Mathemalchemy” serves as a testament to the creative expression found within mathematical thought, using a kaleidoscope of artistry to convey the algorithmic beauty and boundless intricacies of numbers and their encoded significance. continue reading
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/science/mathematics-daubechies-mathemalchemy.html
