Hyperbolic Crochet Reef

A fellow Outcastian sent me an email about *hyperbolic crochet reefs* and even if you had no idea what they are about, I bet you love it now.

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a large-scale, constantly mutating, series of hand-made crochets that replicate the forms of natural coral. In 1997 Dr. Daina Taimina, a professor at Cornell University, astounded the scientific world by realising the first physical model of a hyperbolic plane, using crocheted wool. Using the same mathematical technique, two Australian sisters, Christine and Margaret Wertheim, created the idea for a Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef. The project, organised by the Los Angeles based Institute for Figuring is a direct response to the plight of coral reef from pollution and global warming. Fusing science and mathematics with fine art and handicraft, The Reef is constantly updated by an ever-expanding group of participants from around the world. You can see it at The Hayward Gallery from Friday 6th June until Sunday 17th August 2008 - 73 days of possibilities.

There are hyperbolic crochet lectures by Margaret Wertheim at the Hayward on:

Saturday 15th March:
2-5pm Workshop

Sunday 16th March:
2-5pm Workshop

Margaret Wertheim will give an Intro talk about the whole project - the plight of reefs, global warming, plastic problem, and the crochet reef response - and then you will be able to begin to do hyperbolic crochet.... it is all open to the public!

(Not sure about prices yet though...watch for an update)

Thanks skeinqueen for the heads up!