Ingrid Daubechies: Where Math Meets Passion and Creativity
Ingrid Daubechies, a renowned mathematician at Duke University, is celebrated not only for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics but also for her unique ability to merge her love of numbers with creativity and art. Beyond her academic achievements, she is known for her fascinating hobby: baking pi-shaped cookies. These cookies, cut into the shape of the mathematical constant pi (approximately 3.14159), are a delightful way she celebrates her passion for math. While she admits that a traditional sugar cookie recipe works perfectly, her personal preference leans toward a savory version, infused with the rich flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and the subtle herbs of thyme and marjoram. This combination of math and culinary creativity reflects her larger philosophy of finding beauty in both logic and art.
A Pi-Shaped Cookie Cutter with a Twist
In the summer of 2023, Dr. Daubechies took her cookie-baking hobby to the next level by creating a pi-shaped cookie cutter that "tiles the plane." This innovative design allows her to cut cookies from a large sheet of dough with minimal waste, as the shapes fit perfectly together in rows, one after another. While the theoretical ideal is zero waste, Dr. Daubechies humorously notes that the reality of crumbs and dough often gets in the way. Despite this, her creation is a testament to her ingenuity and her ability to find mathematical solutions to everyday problems.
Celebrating Pi Day and the International Day of Mathematics
Pi Day, celebrated on March 14 (3/14), is a special occasion for Dr. Daubechies, as it coincides with the International Day of Mathematics. This year, she is marking the day by visiting the University of Quebec in Montreal, where she will lead special tours of Mathemalchemy, a multimedia art installation that combines mathematics and creativity. The theme for the 2025 International Day of Mathematics is "Mathematics, Art, and Creativity," a topic close to her heart. Alongside the tours, Dr. Daubechies will deliver a public talk titled "Mathematics to the Rescue of Art Curators," highlighting the role of math in preserving and understanding artistic masterpieces.
The Magic of Mathemalchemy
Mathemalchemy is a 360-degree diorama that has become Dr. Daubechies’ passion project over the past five years. Created in collaboration with fiber sculptor Dominique Ehrmann and a team of 24 artistic mathematicians and mathematical artists, this traveling exhibition is a fantastical celebration of math and art. Measuring 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and nine and a half feet high, Mathemalchemy is an immersive experience that invites visitors to explore the beauty of mathematical concepts through a variety of mediums, including beadwork, ceramics, crochet, embroidery, origami, painting, stained glass, and more. The exhibition has been described as a "mathematics fever dream turned artistic playground," appealing to math lovers and even math skeptics alike.
A Journey Through the Exhibit
The exhibit is filled with creative and thought-provoking pieces that bring mathematical concepts to life. One standout feature is a cat named Arnold, inspired by mathematician Vladimir Arnold and his famous "Arnold’s cat map," which demonstrates how simple systems can produce complex, chaotic dynamics. Another highlight is Tess the Tortoise, who strolls along Zeno’s Path with a Sierpinski kite, illustrating the paradox of infinity. Visitors can also marvel at a stunning mural of OctoPi, a graffiti artist octopus, whose waves are described by the wave equation, a mathematical model for ripples and oscillations. These pieces, among many others, showcase how math is not just a static discipline but a dynamic force that shapes the world around us.
The Global Reach of Mathemalchemy
Since its debut in 2022 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., Mathemalchemy has traveled to various destinations, including the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City and the Juniata College Museum of Art in Pennsylvania. The exhibition’s next stop is the Navajo Nation Museum in Arizona, where it will introduce new audiences to the magic of math-meets-art. To support this journey, the Mathemalchemy team successfully raised $25,000 through a fundraiser, with donors receiving their own
