Ingrid Daubechies, a mathematician at Duke University, has a penchant for turning mathematics into creative experiences. As she prepares for Pi Day on March 14, she shares her love for baking pi-shaped cookies, often made from a savory recipe that features Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and herbs. In the summer of 2023, she designed a cookie cutter that maximizes dough use by tiling the plane, producing cookies without scraps. While perfect execution remains a challenge due to crumbs, the cutter represents Daubechies’ playful approach to math.
This year, Daubechies is set to celebrate Pi Day at the University of Quebec in Montreal, where she will showcase "Mathemalchemy," a multimedia math-meets-art installation that has captured her imagination for the past five years. The theme of Pi Day, which also marks the International Day of Mathematics, will focus on the interplay of math, art, and creativity.
"Mathemalchemy" is a sweeping diorama measuring 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and nine and a half feet high, born from collaboration with Dominique Ehrmann, a skilled fiber sculptor from Quebec, and a dedicated team of 24 artistic mathematicians and mathematical artists. First launched in 2022 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., the installation has since voyaged to various locations, fostering a unique appreciation for the beauty of mathematics through art.
During her visit to Montreal, Daubechies will provide special tours of the exhibition and deliver a public talk titled "Mathematics to the Rescue of Art Curators," inviting attendees to explore the synergies between these two seemingly disparate worlds. Her passion for this initiative reflects how mathematics can not only solve abstract problems but also inspire creativity and innovation in diverse fields.
