14: London Tsai - The Reclusive Dean of The New Escherians
Dec 1, 2019
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London Tsai, a leader in the Mathematical and Scientific art movement, reveals his journey blending mathematics and art. They discuss the challenges of visually representing complex math in art, the intersection of math and physics, and the importance of promoting collaborations between math and artistry. The episode explores the relationship between art, math, and physics, focusing on the significance of math in understanding the physical universe.
London Sy's mathematical art captures the transcendent beauty of higher level science in artistic forms.
The New Escherians smuggle higher level mathematics into topological paintings and light symphonies for transcendence.
Deep dives
Exploring the Intersection of Mathematics and Art
London Sy discusses his background as a mathematical artist, highlighting his journey from studying mathematics to finding the artistic beauty in mathematical concepts. He explains how mathematics became more artistic and creative for him than any other form of artwork he had encountered, emphasizing the infinite depth and interconnectedness of mathematical structures.
Unveiling the Beauty of Mathematical Concepts
London Sy delves into his fascination with mathematics, describing it as a hidden world that is both meaningful and artistically captivating. He expresses his obsession with understanding mathematical concepts, despite the challenges he faced, and the profound impact mathematics had on his life and artistic expressions.
Reverence for Mathematical Structures
London Sy and Eric Weinstein discuss the transcendental and unauthored nature of mathematical structures, drawing parallels to a religious or awe-inspiring experience. They explore the eternal beauty and complexity found in mathematics and the struggle to grasp the totality and depth of mathematical concepts.
Challenges in Communicating Mathematical Beauty
London Sy and Eric Weinstein reflect on the difficulty of conveying the wonder and beauty of mathematics to the general public. They critique existing depictions of mathematical art and the limitations in capturing the true depth and essence of mathematical structures. They highlight the need for innovative approaches to engage individuals in appreciating the profound connection between mathematics and art.
What happened to the Mathematical and Scientific art movement after MC Escher? It went underground.
In this episode of the Portal, Eric begins tracking down the leaders of this hidden movement; one that is smuggling higher level science into transcendent art forms. Eric had to coax one the movement’s foremost members, London Tsai, to come out of obscurity where he had been preserving his mathematical art in sarcophagi of unopened bubble wrap sitting for decades in various New York City studios.
London is just the first of these New Escherians we’ll be profiling. These modern day Prometheans are stealing higher level mathematics from the professorial priesthood replacing the Seraphim and Cherubs of antiquity with topological paintings, protein sculptures, and light symphonies that speak to our hearts, minds and desires for transcendence. The podcast will be released later with video showing a taste of Tsai's groundbreaking work.
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