The Art of Maths takes centre stage at lecture

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20 November 2014

The Art of Maths takes centre stage at Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture 2014

Cawthron Institute in association with the Royal Society of New Zealand is proud to announce Professor Marcus du Sautoy as distinguished speaker for the 2014 Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture in Nelson on 10 December.

Professor du Sautoy, OBE, is the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of New College. He is well known for popularising mathematics and in 2009 won the Michael Faraday Prize - the UK's premier award for excellence in communicating science.

“Professor du Sautoy is a hugely successful and highly-regarded mathematician and science communicator. We are sure he will be very popular not only with math’s fiends out there, but also the general public,” says Cawthron Institute Community Development manager Jo Thompson.

“This year we are really pleased to have the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand who have brought Professor du Sautoy to New Zealand as the 2014 Royal Society of New Zealand Distinguished Speaker.”

In his lecture, Professor du Sautoy will discuss how throughout the centuries, the mathematician's palette of shapes, patterns and numbers has proved a powerful inspiration. As composers, painters, writers and choreographers hunt interesting new ways to frame their creative processes, they can be subconsciously drawn to the same structures that fascinate mathematicians.

Professor du Sautoy will explore the hidden mathematical ideas that underpin the creative output of well-known artists and reveal that the work of the mathematician is also driven by strong aesthetic values.

The Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture is a free annual community event held by the Cawthron Institute for the people of Nelson since 1917 to commemorate the memory and legacy of Thomas Cawthron. Many distinguished scientists and scholars have featured as lecturers, sharing their knowledge on a wide range of subjects. Past lecturers include Professor Thomas Easterfield, Sir Ernest Rutherford, Sir Edmund Hillary, Professor Robert Winston and the Rt Hon Helen Clark.

“Through these lectures we aim to foster and celebrate the development of research, science and technology in New Zealand,” says Cawthron Institute Chief Executive, Professor Charles Eason. “This year’s lecture aligns nicely with our own beliefs and long-term commitment to making science accessible and relevant to a wider audience.”

Event details:

What: Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture 2014 - The Art of Mathematics and the Mathematics of Art presented by Marcus du Sautoy,

When: 7.30pm-9.30pm Wednesday 10 December

Where: Rutherford Hotel Conference Centre, Nile Street, Nelson

The lecture is preceded by music from Duo Jackson and will conclude with a light supper.

Free entry, but registration is essential. Register now at eventbrite.com - keyword ‘Cawthron’.

ENDS

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