Presented in collaboration with La Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain and the Scientific Institute for Advanced Studies (IHÉS), the « Mathematics, a Sudden Change of Scenery » exhibit wears its name well. With surprise and a certain fascination, we discover an often-misinterpreted universe …

Au Bonheur des Maths / Photo © Olivier Ouadah – La Fondation Cartier

From pure to applied mathematics, the exhibit offers visitors a voyage to the heart of mathematical thinking. 6 researchers with various geographic origins and mathematical specialties were invited to share their knowledge : Sir Michael ATIYAH, Alain CONNES, Nicole EL KAROUI, Misha GROMOV, Cédric VILLANI and Don ZAGIER. They are among today’s most recognized specialists in areas such as number theory, algebraic geometry or even differential geometry.

Un ciel mathématique – Henri Poincaré / Photo © Pierre-Yves Dinasquet

Eight artists familiar with the Fondation Cartier, since they have already exhibited there, have been reunited to welcome these researchers : Jean Michel ALBEROLA, Raymond DEPARDON and Claudine NOUGARET, Takeshi KITANO, David LYNCH, Beatriz MILHAZES, Patti SMITH and Hiroshi SUGIMOTO.

Surface de révolution à courbure négative constante / Photo © Pierre-Yves Dinasquet – La Fondation Cartier

Chosen for their capacity to listen and observe as well as their curiosity, these major figures in the art and film worlds accompany the mathematicians by uniting and transforming mathematics’ scientific and educational aspects into a sensory experience.

Pavages de Penroses / Photo © Olivier Ouadah – La Fondation Cartier

For example, David Lynch’s library of mysteries plunges us into scientific reading in a very Lynchian atmosphere by projecting meticulously-chosen images of books and phrases. Under the cupola is depicted an enumeration of objects in the universe classed by size from the minuscule Planck particle (the tiniest conceivable object) to the observable universe.

La bibliothèque des mystères / Photo © Olivier Ouadah – La Fondation Cartier

An exhibition to discover until March 18, 2012 !