Shapes: Patterns in Art and Science

Jan 17, 2025, 11:00 until Mar 09, 2025, 18:00, EPFL Pavilions, Pavilion A

The exhibition Shapes: Patterns in Art and Science is taking place at the EPFL Pavilion A in Lausanne from 17 January until 9 March, 2025. The exhibition explores the richness of the natural and artificial patterns that surround us. Bringing together art, mathematics, materials science and biology, it highlights the shared fascination of scientists and artists with geometric, dynamic and symmetrical structures. MARVEL PI Michael Herbst is one of its curators.

Understand the world, tell its story, observing and exploring its structures is fundamental to both artists and scientists, while organising and classifying them lies at the core of mathematics. Closely linked to current scientific research, the exhibition invites the public to discover and explore simple, repetitive patterns which reveal rich and aesthetically pleasing structures, often unsuspected.

To complete this panorama of shapes, the exhibition brings together works by contemporary artists inspired by mathematics, along the emblematic works of Dutch artist M.C. Escher. Aimed at a wide audience, Shapes encourages people to interact, discover and express themselves.

Practical information

  • The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 6 pm.
  • It is closed on Monday.
  • The admission is free
  • Free guided tour on Saturdays 25.1.2025 + 22.2.2025, 11:15–12:15. No registration required
  • More information on the exhibition website.

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