Catalyst Conversations in partnership with MIT List Visual Arts Center presented:

In a recent New York Times Opinion essay, London based mathematician Sarah Hart celebrates the connection between mathematics and literature. She says: “Good mathematics, like good writing, involves an inherent appreciation of structure, rhythm and pattern. That feeling we get when we read a great novel or a perfect sonnet — that here is a beautiful thing, with all the component parts fitting together perfectly in a harmonious whole — is the same feeling a mathematician experiences when reading a beautiful proof.”
 
This program Literature and Math: Considering Alice with Anna Henchman, Michael Hopkins and Debra Wise, explores and celebrates some of the subtexts, math and otherwise in Lewis Carroll’s famous book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Founded in 2012, Catalyst Conversations creates programs that pair artists and scientists for intimate conversations. These conversations have explored topics at the forefront of science and art-making today such as theoretical mathematics, watershed conservation, public art, STEAM education, neuroscience and more. In a region full of innovation and knowledge, Catalyst Conversations offers a unique opportunity for participants of all ages and educational backgrounds to access new knowledge. Ideas are not only presented to the public, they are held open for extended conversation allowing a unique entry to intellectual inquiry. 
 
As MIT’s contemporary art museum, the List Center’s history is deeply connected to the Institute’s long-standing commitment to supporting the arts and humanities on campus. MIT List Visual Arts Center provides artists with a space to freely experiment and push boundaries. Our galleries and programs are always free and open to all.

Video recording will be available at a later date. Follow us on social media and join our Catalyst Conversations email list to be notified when the video is released! 

Image: Original Illustration by John Tenniel for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

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