Projecting Escher - STEVEN R. TABOR

Projecting Escher

What do you get when you mix math and art?

This series makes use of projection photography---a technique that originated in the 1960s with the work of John French, in which photographic images were projected onto a model. This series projects images from the paintings of Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) onto a model using a mini-beamer.

M.C. Escher was a Dutch graphic artist who made mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzo-tints. His work features mathematical objects and operations including impossible objects, explorations of infinity, reflection, symmetry, perspective, truncated and stellated polyhedra, hyperbolic geometry, and tessellations.

Asimira Iliac, a professional model, artist and rope expert, posed for the projection photographs and provided valuable input and suggestions throughout the project. The series was shot in a home studio, which was largely devoid of props, except for a Sexy Relaxy Chair by Richard Hutton, a Rattan Peacock Chair, and a mirror.

M.C. Escher’s work already has a strong three-dimensional geometric feel to it. By projecting selections from his work onto a model, we get an additional series of bends and curves, adding even more dynamism to the images. While the model’s movements disrupt the strict mathematical precision of Escher’s creations, they also soften his calculations, and allow us to appreciate his work from the perspective of a female canvas.

If you'd like to see the full series, download the PDF catalogue here.