[Maths-Education] Maths-Art Seminar at LKL, 12 May: Daniel White, "From 2D Mandelbrot to 3D Mandelbulb: A Tour of Mystery and Intrigue"

[Phillip Kent]

** REMINDER **
** PLEASE CIRCULATE ** ALL WELCOME **

FROM 2D MANDELBROT TO 3D MANDELBULB: A TOUR OF MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE
An LKL Maths-Art seminar by Daniel White
Thursday 12th May 2011, 6.00 - 7.30pm

The word "fractal" may be an unfamiliar word for something which is
actually all around us. It embodies the way large scale shapes are
repeated at smaller scales. Examples found in nature include a lightning
strike, snowflake, broccoli floret, or say, a tree. Consider how the
tree trunk splits off into thicker branches, which then split off into
smaller branches, and then how these in turn sprout twigs and then
finally leaves.

But the discovery of one of the most beautiful fractals has only been
made possible since the advent of computers, due to the millions of
calculations that are needed. It is known as the "Mandelbrot set", and
was found by Benoit Mandelbrot about 30 years ago. No matter how far you
zoom in, or how tiny the detail, there will always be further exquisite
detail to be found. With its colourful and hypnotic patterns, it quickly
found its way into the public imagination.

However, elaborate and beautiful though the Mandelbrot may be, it has
always remained only flat and two-dimensional. But not anymore, as for
the first time, the "Mandelbulb" is a successful attempt to bring all
that detail into glorious 3D, so that shadows, light sourcing and real
depth become possible. Many previous attempts at finding a 3D version of
the original 2D Mandelbrot have resulted only in simpler objects
resembling "whipped cream" or extruded mountain scapes. Whilst often
very nice to look at, these objects don't exhibit true fractal detail in
all three dimensions. Like the original Mandelbrot, the Mandelbulb is a
relatively simple extension of the same simple formula, and one which
yields intricate, strange, but somehow compelling detail, forever.

BIOGRAPHY: Based in Bedford, Daniel White has a degree in music and
computing and is currently a part-time piano teacher, webmaster and
programmer. After co-discovering the Mandelbulb in late 2009 with Paul
Nylander, he has had his formula and pictures published in Nature, New
Scientist, Discovery, and other publications internationally. With keen
interests ranging from music composition, to art, maths and science,
Daniel has always held a special interest in computer graphics and
animation.

DATE: Thursday 12th May
TIME: 6.00 to 7.30pm
PLACE: London Knowledge Lab, 23-29 Emerald St, London, WC1N 3QS
[Travel information & maps at: http://bit.ly/LKL-MathsArt-venue ]

NEXT SEMINAR: June 9, a special origami/maths-art meeting co-organised 
with the British Origami Society.

NEW!! LKLMathsArt on YouTube: We are creating a YouTube archive of videos
from the Maths-Art seminars. First online is Mary Harris from March:
  http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E55779D8D0E3C022 
  http://www.youtube.com/user/LKLMathsArt  
Watch out for more videos.

LKL Maths-Art seminars are free to attend, and All are welcome. No
reservation is required, but an email to lkl.maths.art at gmail.com is
appreciated for planning purposes

-----------------------------------

*Visit the website and seminar archive:
http://www.lkl.ac.uk/events/maths-art
*LKLMathsArt on YouTube: 
www.youtube.com/user/LKLMathsArt 
*Join the email list for future seminar announcements:
http://www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/lkl-maths-art


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Dr Phillip Kent, Visiting Fellow, London Knowledge Lab
p.kent at ioe.ac.uk   phillip.kent at gmail.com
www.phillipkent.net    m: 07950 952034
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