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M.C. Escher: More Mathematics Than Meets the Eye (im-possible.info)
66 points by nathanh on March 20, 2011 | hide | past | favorite | 8 comments



Obligatory reference to Gödel, Escher and Bach.

(For the record, I do understand this article explores a different mathematical aspect of Escher than Hofstadter)


I've seen Lenstra's talk about Escher's print gallery some years ago in Rome and then again after a few months in Pisa.

One of the most captivating talks I've ever seen. He's a great speaker. I wish I had him as a professor.

EDIT: forgot to add, in the Mathematica blog there is another explanation of the mathematics between the "Droste effect" and the code to obtain it: http://blog.wolfram.com/2009/04/24/droste-effect-with-mathem...


I'm just speechless about that computed re-creation assembling the four frames. Brilliant.

The interpretation of the blank spot is also quite nice and very Escher-esque, with the content literally jumping out of the frame. Probably Escher left the center patch blank because his construction method would have him exceed some technical/physical limitation, so instead of drawing an approximation he preferred a void.


There's an OS X screensaver based on this work which animates the effect, in a similar way to "dive" animations into fractal images. Fascinating but also nauseating after a while.

http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/lotsablankers/lotsaescher


As someone who grew up mesmerized as a little kid by a large framed work by Escher in our house, this is an awesome read. :)


Thanks! Awesome read! Makes me love Escher's work even more.


Does anyone have a larger version of the last picture?





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