The Bridges Conferences, annual events since1998, bring together practicing mathematicians, scientists, artists, educators, musicians, writers, computer scientists, sculptors, dancers, weavers, and model builders in a lively atmosphere of exchange and mutual encouragement. Important components of the conferences, in addition to formal presentations, are hands-on workshops, gallery displays of visual art, working sessions with artists who cross the boundaries of arts and mathematics.

 

On the conference programme in Pécs are exhibitions, interactive workshops, playful pedagogical presentations, concerts, a mathematical theatre and family activities.

 

An exhibition called DO YOU LIKE PALEOLITHIC OP-ART? a Math-Art Exhibition by Slavik Jablan can be seen in Pécs’s Cella Septichora Visitor Centre until August 8. Visitors can see and learn about ancient meander ornamentation in the show, which was put together with the help of students from the University of Pécs, Kaposvár University and the Faculty of Information Technologies, Belgrade.

 

“Somewhat inspired by Victor Vasarely’s works and his concept of ‘Art for everyone’, graphic works from the exhibition illustrate the idea of modularity: all of them are created from only five basic elements by using simple geometrical rules,” the exhibition organisers say.

 

Visitors can create their own designs at the show, play with Kufi cubes, make Op-tile transparent hypercubes or transform a simple meander into a complicated labyrinth by rotating a few tiles.

 

Karl Schaffer and Erik Stern

On Sunday, The Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern Dance Ensemble from the United States will perform The Secret Life of Squares, in which Karl Schaffer and Erik Stern show the connections between mathematics and dance “through highly physical, engaging choreography peppered with their unique brand of humor and entertaining audience interactions”.