Friday, May 16, 2008

Lecture by Richard Taylor: Fractal Patterns in Nature, Art and Science

A lecture by Richard Taylor, Fractal Patterns in Nature, Art and Science: Are They Good for Us? will be on Wednesday, May 28, 2:00-3:20 pm in the Lane Community College Art Gallery.

Fractals are patterns that repeat at many magnifications. These intricate patterns are found throughout nature, ranging from clouds, rivers and lightning through to our brains, blood vessels and lungs! They have also assumed a rapidly expanding role in the arts and sciences. Due to their growing impact on cultures around the world and their prevalence in nature, fractals constitute a central feature of our daily visual experiences throughout our lives. Humanity’s intimate association with these fascinating patterns raises a simple and yet crucial question – does exposure to fractal patterns have a positive impact on our mental and physical condition? In this talk, I will explore some of the intriguing properties of fractals by taking a meandering walk through the disciplines I have worked in. I will then focus on an art-science collaboration that will use fractal art to reduce people’s stress levels in a novel and dramatic manner.

Richard Taylor is a Professor of Physics, Psychology and Art. He gained his Ph.D. in 1988 (Nottingham, UK); and in addition, he trained as a painter at the Manchester School of Art (U.K.), and has a Masters Degree in Art Theory (University of New South Wales, Australia). Taylor has studied fractals and chaos in a diverse range of research fields, including psychology, physiology, physics, geography, architecture and art.

The LCC Art Gallery is located in the Art and Applied Design Department in Building 11 on LCC's main campus at 4000 East 30th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon. Contact: Susan Lowdermilk, 463-5413.

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