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ROBERT FATHAUER's work incorporates the mathematics of symmetry, fractals, hyperbolic geometry and more; blending it with organic and inorganic forms found in nature. This synthesis allows him to create novel prints and ceramic sculptures that derive their appeal from juxtapositions such as complexity/order and movement/balance. ​Mathematical structure is evident in his work and throughout the natural world.

Robert Fathauer, "Dragon Metamorphosis", archival pigment print on acid-free paper
"Dragon Metamorphosis" - This design employs a figure/ground reversal of the same motif in black and white versions from one side of the print to the other. I.e., the eye perceives black dragons on a white background at left, and white dragons on a black background at right. M.C. Escher used this technique in some of his most famous prints, such as "Day and Night" . In the center a tessellation of dragons is seen in which no background is visible. In between these extremes the mind's interpretation of what the eye is seeing is not as clear cut. The entire design possesses glide reflection symmetry about a center line if the reversal in colors is ignored. Limited edition of 25 digital prints, executed in 2003. The image size is 15" x 7-1/2". A belt buckle using this design was produced by Bergamot Brass Works . The central dragon tessellation is also featured in "Drawing on Glide Reflection"
and in a tessellations activity book . ​

six-fold infinite rings by Robert Fathauer, archival pigment print for sale by Atlanta Art Gallery, Different Trains









Six-fold Infinite Rings
archival inkjet print on heavy watercolor paper

Fired clay has been used as an artistic and functional medium for thousands of years. Robert Fathauer brings relatively recent mathematical ideas to this ancient medium, with the goal of creating unique and thought-provoking sculptural forms. In many cases these are reminiscent of forms found in nature, while remaining abstract. 

Fractal curves are complex curves that are generated by starting with a single line segment and applying a simple rule repeatedly. Such curves can be used to generate surfaces by spatially separating the different generations of the fractal and then connecting them. Several of Dr. Fathauer's ceramic sculptures are based on fractal curves, though the canonical curves are generally modified by creating curvilinear and/or closed versions.

Spatial development of fractal curves leads to surfaces that grow superlinearly, creating ripples and folding, as is sometimes observed in natural growth structures. These surfaces are related to hyperbolic geometry (in contrast to Euclidean geometry), and they often possess negative curvature. This means the surface curves away from every point in directions of opposite sign, like a saddle.


Bio
​
Born 1960, Illinois

education
1987: Ph.D. Cornell University in Electrical Engineering;
           Joined research staff of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 
1982: B.S. University of Denver in Physics and Mathematics, oil, and acrylic paint in his school years.  


Long a fan of M.C. Escher, Dr. Fathauer began designing his own tessellations with lifelike motifs in the late 1980's. He learned printmaking techniques for the purpose of producing limited-edition screen prints and woodcuts of his tessellation designs. At the same time, he designed and produced a puzzle based on a squid and ray design. In 1993, he founded a business, Tessellations, to produce puzzles based on his designs. Over time, Tessellations' product line has grown to include mathematics manipulatives, classroom posters, and books as well.

Dr. Fathauer's explorations with tessellations branched into fractals, and around 1990 he began creating art primarily on the computer in order to better realize the intricate detail and complexity of his designs. His fractal tessellations led him to experimenting with fractal knots. He is also fascinated with mathematical forms in nature and has created fractal trees using photographs of real trees and bushes. More recently, he has been working with ceramics to create sculptures that combine fractal character with hyperbolic geometry. These abstract sculptural forms are inspired by natural structure found in corals and plants.

In addition to creating mathematical art, Dr. Fathauer has taken an interest in promoting it through group exhibitions. He took the lead in making art exhibitions an annual feature of both the Bridges Conference, starting in 2001, and the Joint Mathematics Meetings, starting in 2004. 

Dr. Fathauer lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Marla and sons Max and Rex.


exhibitions
2017 
"Math, Nature and Form", Museum of the Southwest, Midland, TX (photos of the exhibition) 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Atlanta , GA 
Escher, Gaviria Palace, Madrid, Spain
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada 
2016 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Seattle, WA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland 
2015 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Antonio, TX 
Escher, Palazzo Albergati, Bologna, Italy
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 
2014/15 
The Brain, 16th International Art-Science Juried Exhibition, New York Hall of Science, Queens, NY
Escher, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome, Italy
​2014
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Baltimore, MD 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Gwacheon National Science Center, Seoul, South Korea 
2013 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Diego, CA 
FAX + Pattern, The Simons Center Gallery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Saxion University, Enschede, The Netherlands 
Postnatural, Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts (SLSA) Art Exhibition 2013, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
2012 
!AHA! Art Exhibition with a Magical Mathematical Twist, Central Library, Atlanta, GA
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Boston, MA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Towson University, Towson, MD 
2011 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, New Orleans, LA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal 
Calculated Result - Mathematical Art , The Arts Center, Corvallis, OR
Kaposvár University, Kaposvár, Hungary

Ars Geometrica Gallery, Eger, Hungary
​2010 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Francisco, CA 
Pi &pirt - A Celebration of Art and Mathematics, ARTS Space Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
Bridges Pécs Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Pécs, Hungary 
2009 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Washington, DC 
Infinite Beauty, Library, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
D-ART 2009 online gallery 
Bridges Banff Exhibition of Mathematical Art, The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada 
Art from Math / Math as Art, Flaten Art Museum, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
Symphony & Metaphor, The Gallery of the Common Experience, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
2008 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Diego, CA 
CalculArt, Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Michigan College 
Bridges Leeuwarden Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Stenden University, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
D-ART 2008 online gallery 
2007 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, New Orleans, LA 
Bridges Donostia Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian (Donostia), Spain
Eureka! Artists Interpret the Laws of Science, San Marcos, TX
​2006 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Antonio, TX 
Bridges London Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of London, London, England
2005 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Atlanta, GA 
Renaissance Banff Exhibition of Mathematical Art, The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada
2004 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Phoenix, AZ 
Bridges 2004 Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Southwestern College, Winfield, KS
2003 
SIGGRAPH 2003 Art Gallery, San Diego, CA 
2002 
13th National Computer Art Invitational Exhibition, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA
Bridges 2002 Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Towson University, Towson, MD
2001 
Bridges 2001 Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Southwestern College, Winfield, KS

awards, commissions 
2014/15 
Artist in Residence at Imagine Science Films
2014 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Art Exhibition Prize for Best Textile, Sculpture, or Other Medium
"Three-Fold Development" was featured on the cover of MAA Focus magazine
2013
Honorable Mention - Representation of a Scientific/Mathematical Principle or Phenomenon, and Special Merit Recognition -
Originality & Innovation, Science & Math-based Art Contest in Los Alamos, NM 
2012 
"Iterated Trefoil Knot" was featured on the cover of The College Mathematics Journal
2011
Special Merit Recognition - Originality & Innovation, Science & Math-based Art Contest in Los Alamos, NM 
Fractal trees camouflage design commissioned by Legend Hunting 
"Fractal Trees" prints are featured in a series of five murals in the newly opened Karl J. Jacobs Center for Science and Math at
Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL 
2009 
Third Prize, Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Washington, DC 
2004
A tessellation metamorphosis depicting runners commissioned for the Chicago Marathon 
 "Bats and Owls" was used as the stage-set backdrop for a performance of the one-act play "With Blood, With Ink" at the Boston
Conservatory 
2003 
Three tessellation metamorphoses commissioned by Bates USA advertising agency 

exhibitions curated by Dr. Fathauer
2017
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Atlanta, GA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada (co-curated with Katie McCallum)
2016
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Seattle, WA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland (co-curated with Katie McCallum
2015
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Antonio, TX 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD (co-curated with Katie McCallum) ​
2014
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Baltimore, MD 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Gwacheon National Science Center, Seoul, South Korea (co-curated with Katie McCallum)
2013
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Diego, CA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Saxion University, Enschede, The Netherlands  
2012
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Boston, MA
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Towson University, Towson, MD (co-curated by Chris Bartlett) 
2011 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, New Orleans, LA 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal 
​2010
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Francisco, CA 
Bridges Pécs Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Pécs, Hungary 
​2009
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Washington, DC 
Bridges Banff Exhibition of Mathematical Art, The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada 
2007
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, New Orleans, LA 
Bridges Donostia Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian (Donostia), Spain
2006
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, San Antonio, TX 
Bridges London Exhibition of Mathematical Art, University of London, London, England
2005
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Atlanta, GA 
Renaissance Banff Exhibition of Mathematical Art, The Banff Centre, Banff, Alberta, Canada
2004 
Joint Mathematics Meetings Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Phoenix, AZ 
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Southwestern College, Winfield, KS
2001
Bridges Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Southwestern College, Winfield, KS
​
selected books
2015
Tessellations Around the World
2012
Designing and Building Tessellated Polyhedra
30-Second Maths (edited by Richard Brown, Ivy Press; contributor) 
The Art of the Illusion j(by Brad Honeycutt and Terry Stickels, Imagine Press; contributor)
2010
Fractal Trees
2009
Elegant Origami Book & Gift Set (coauthored with Day Nguyen, Sterling Innovations)
Polyhedra Activity Book
Geometric Shapes Activity Book
2008
Lifelike Tessellations Activity Book 
Regular Polygon Tessellations Activity Book 
Designing and Drawing Tessellations 

Some of these books are available at Mathartfun.

selected papers and presentations
2016
"Real-World Tessellations," Bridges Conference 
2012
"Combining Mathematics and Art for Recreation, Esthetics, and Education," Keynote address at the Washington State
Community College Math Conference
2011
"Puzzles and Art Based on Tessellations and Fractals," Keynote address at the 3rd International Experience Workshop,    
Kaposvar, Hungary 
2009
"Fractal tilings based on dissections of polyominoes, polyhexes, and polyiamonds," Homage to a Pied Piper, edited by Ed Pegg   
Jr. Alan H. Schoen, and Tom Rodgers 
2007
"A survey of recent mathematical art exhibitions", Journal of Mathematics and the Arts
2003
"Symmetry in Nature, Art, Mathematics, Science, and Engineering", Pattern and Symmetry, Heard Museum and Arizona State
University
"Extending Escher's recognizable-motif tilings to mltiple-solution tilings and fractal tilings," M.C. Escher's Legacy - A Centennial
Celebration, edited by D. Schattschneider and M. Emmer
​2002
"Fractal tilings based on v-shaped prototiles," Computers and Graphics 
2001
"Fractal tilings based on kite- and dart-shaped prototiles," Computers and Graphics
"Some Common Themes in Visual Mathematical Art," Bridges Conference
​
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VINSONart LLC manages DIFFERENT TRAINS GALLERY in The Old Depot District of Decatur Georgia, DTG2 at Cornerstone Bank of Decatur and The WADDI ATL, a gallery + event venue in the historic Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta. We show original art by local and internationally recognized artists and offer personalized and professional art consulting services + cleared art rental and licensing for Georgia film and television productions. ​
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  • Shop
  • artists
  • Kosmo's Vinyl of the Week
  • exhibitions & events
    • Social Distance Gallery ATL
    • missive - UNG Faculty Show
    • Wood at The Waddi
    • Artist Xie Caomin at Different Trains Gallery 2 at Cornerstone Bank of Decatur
    • Pop-Up Show at 378 featuring The Real Frank Tee and Kim Cresswell
    • Luzene Hill - Now that the Gates of Hell are Closed... >
      • Luzene Hill artist talk
    • Around the Wheel - Color Wheel Teachers Show
    • Best of Atlanta 2019
    • Yehimi Cambrón Pop-Up Show
    • Summer Show 2019
    • Academe of the Oaks Student Exhibition
    • Remembering Marvin Rhodes
    • 378 Clifton Road Pop-Up May 2 2019
    • Ruth Franklin - Only When I Laugh
    • Perspectives: WCAGA Group Exhibit
    • Harry Underwood Red Letter Days >
      • a conversation with artist Harry Underwood
    • The Gallery: Natalie Twigg and Todd Alexander >
      • A Conversation with Natalie Twigg
    • Eben Dunn: Amplification and De-amplification >
      • A Conversation with Atlanta Artists Eben Dunn & Jim Johnson
    • Decaturscapes
    • M.C. Escher +
    • Math + Art
    • Cisco Kid vs Donald Trump >
      • Artist Talk & Tea with Kosmo Vinyl
    • Bank SEE 2.0
    • Through a Glass Darkly
    • Bank SEE
    • Grand Opening and Inaugural Exhibition
  • contact
  • about
  • Waddi ATL
  • books
  • blog
  • News
  • Cleared Art Licensing