Hyberbolic Crochet Coral Reef

The possibilities of crocheting – who would have thought that crocheting would lead to solving a 200-year-old geometry problem and then become a crocheting phenomenon. Woman across the country are contributing to the Hyperbolic Crocheted Reefs exhibits – designed and curated by The Institute For Figuring co-directors:
 Christine and Margaret Wertheim.


The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit @ Broadway Windows


Detail - The Bleached Reef @ Broadway Windows


Detail2 - The Bleached Reef @ Broadway Windows

The Hyperbolic Crocheted Reef is on display in 2 locations in New York City and coming to a city near you. Check out the exhibition schedule.

New York University "Broadway Windows" (NYC, NY)
April 5th - May 18th 2008
The corner of Broadway and 10th St.

World Financial Center, Winter Garden (Battery Park City, NYC)
April 5th - May 18th 2008
World Financial Center Winter Garden (beside staircase)

220 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281


Detail1 -The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit
@ Broadway Windows


Detail2 -The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit
@ Broadway Windows

Info about the Hyperbolic plane
“ For two thousand years mathematicians knew about only two kinds of geometry – the plane and the sphere. But in the early nineteenth century they became aware of another space in which lines cavorted in aberrant formations. Offending reason and common sense, this new space came to be known as the hyperbolic plane, in homage to its abundant excess of parallel lines. Though the formalities of this space were known for 200 years, it was only in 1997 that mathematician Daina Taimina finally worked out how to make a physical model of the hyperbolic plane. The method she used was crochet. “ – IFF Web site


Detail3 -The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit
@ Broadway Windows


Detail4 -The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibit
@ Broadway Windows

Want to make your own or contribute, go to The Institute For Figuring to learn more. I also found this site- Gooseflesh, for more photos and information.

Thank you to my friend Anne, from my knitting and crocheting group at work, who told me about this. I hope to make one of these soon.