Event Blog #1: Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces Exhibit by Robert Gero

I was able to attend the Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces Exhibit by Robert Gero on May 21^st at Professor Vesna’s suggestions. The exhibit was unique straight off the bat as it utilized the entire room in order to convey a sense of infiniteness (Gero). 

Structure takes up entire room

This exhibit ties in well with Week 2 – “Math + Art” (Vesna) lessons as it was grounded in mathematical concepts in order to generate the infinity structures. Gero most definitely used concepts of vanishing points, proportions, horizontal and orthogonal lines, and the laws of optics to superimpose a feeling of limitlessness in the room (Museum of Science). The take away message of the exhibit was the ability to unify the theory of finite and infinite into a physical structure. As seen from the pictures, the structure consists of Styrofoam beams, strategically placed pillows, and rotating light. 

Addition of dark pillows

All of these combine to create a “stable interior and an infinitely expanding interior” (UCLA Art | Sci Center). The Styrofoam beams were placed in an interwoven pattern that gave the room a boundless appearance—every direction you turned, you were met with this pattern of beams. The dark pillows contrasted nicely against the white of the Styrofoam, allowing the viewers to differentiate different viewpoints within the structure. The light projection added to the ethereal feeling of the exhibit, as if you were floating in an infinite space. It also gave the beams an appearance of movement, contributing to the idea of infinity. 

Use of rotating lights

The true feat was creating such a “seemingly impossible structure whose internal dimensions exceed its external ones” (World Eventer). There is a kind of beautiful harmony in uniting to polar concepts, much like the idea of Yin and Yang.

Citations

"EXHIBITION: Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces by Robert Gero." UCLA Art | Sci Center Lab. Web.

Gero, Robert. "Robert Gero." RobertGero.net. Web.

"Infinity Structures: Paradoxical Spaces by Robert Gero." World Eventer. Web.

"Museum of Science, Boston." Exploring Linear Perspective. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Unit 2: Math + Art" 2012. Lecture.