11/09/2023

Exhibition depicts different versions of the Möbius strip.

IMPA is hosting the exhibition 'Elos' by sculptor Valin Branco, featuring different versions of the Möbius strip — a topological space created by gluing the two ends of a strip together, which inspires the IMPA symbol . The ten pieces developed by the sculptor will be on display on the 2nd floor of the institute until October 11th.

The São Paulo-born artist, who considers himself Pernambuco native by training and Minas Gerais native at heart, works with wood and sculpts his pieces from whole blocks. The exhibition 'Elos' is open to the public, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm. Those interested should send their registration in advance to the email cdm@impa.br , with their full name and CPF (Brazilian tax identification number).

The Möbius strip is a special type of surface that fascinates mathematicians, artists, and engineers because it has only one side, defying the laws of physics. It was created by the German mathematician and astronomer August Ferdinand Möbius in 1858. The shape was chosen as the IMPA logo during the administration of former director Lindolpho de Carvalho Dias.

“About 15 years ago, someone told me about the Möbius strip. I researched it and discovered it was the symbol of IMPA. At the time, I thought about visiting the institute, but with work demands, I couldn't. The origin of the Möbius strip is pure mathematics, so being able to exhibit it here at IMPA is very cool and rewarding,” says Branco.

Since 2008, the artist has been developing pieces with this theme. He emphasizes that creating the pieces for the exhibition required two months of work. “I prepared the pieces from the classic form to the cuts, developing the Möbius strip with variations. It will be interesting for people who come to see these variations. Some of the pieces are interactive and people can handle them.”

In addition to the exhibition, IMPA has another sculpture representing the Möbius strip. The wooden artwork is made up of eight moving parts that take on new forms. The work is on display in the director's office and was also created by Valin.

The artist has a studio in Tiradentes (MG). Information about Valin Branco's work and pieces is available on his website .

Exhibition 'Remember Maryam Mirzakhani'

IMPA is also hosting the exhibition “Remember Maryam Mirzakhani,” which recounts the life of Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani (1977-2017), the first woman to receive the Fields Medal, in 2014. Inaugurated on March 14th, International Mathematics Day, the exhibition features 18 panels with photographs, statements, and other images from the mathematician's private and professional life. The pieces are on display in the corridor on the third floor of IMPA until March of next year.

This is the third time the exhibition has toured Rio de Janeiro. In 2018, the collection was on display at the World Meeting for Women in Mathematics (WM)² and the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM).

Born in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in 1977, Maryam became interested in mathematics while still in school. At age 17, she was the first Iranian woman to win a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

Maryam was a professor at Stanford University in the United States. The mathematician died young, at age 40, from breast cancer. She battled the disease for four years. Maryam is survived by her daughter, Anahita, born in 2011.