Storch turned the maths into art and created a beautiful twisting and winding ribbon of stainless steel. His sculpture ‘Manifold’ represents a mathematical object known as the Lorenz manifold, a complicated surface that emerges from a famous model of chaotic weather systems. A few years ago, Dr Osinga made a crocheted representation of the same surface, to world-wide acclaim.
“Steel is often associated with large square buildings, but Benjamin’s sculpture seems to float on air,” says Osinga.
“We are absolutely amazed by Benjamin’s craftmanship: Manifold was literally hammered into its intricate shape from flat pieces of steel!” adds Krauskopf.
Storch’s work originates from a desire to create dynamic surfaces in metal. “I am always on the look-out for intriguing imagery in nature and physics,” he says. “My collaboration with Bernd and Hinke is a great example of mathematics and art working hand-in-hand.”
Manifold is on display for the first time as part of the ‘Element’ exhibition at Craft in the Bay in Cardiff.
The complex metal-smithing technique that Storch employs, where central surface areas are compressed and peripheral areas are stretched, was perfectly suited for creating Manifold.