The 2024-25 Ellis L. and Jennie Mae Krause Lecture in Science at Marietta College is pleased to welcome Dr. Richard Taylor, a distinguished physicist from the University of Oregon, as our distinguished speaker.
On Wednesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Alma McDonough Auditorium, Dr. Taylor will present “Fractal Fluency: The Art and Science of Nature’s Beauty." Entrance to the event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Taylor's talk will focus on a comprehensive exploration of how fractal patterns influence our understanding of nature and aesthetics. His innovative work has bridged the gap between scientific inquiry and artistic expression. At Oregon, he is a Professor of Physics, Psychology and Art.
Abstract:
Dramatically referred to as the ‘fingerprint of life’, fractal patterns are prevalent in nature -ranging from clouds, trees, and mountains, through to our brains, blood vessels, and lungs. Perhaps the most staggering factor in the story of fractals is that artists have been creating these patterns long before scientists started to study them. Examples of fractal art include Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings of turbulent rivers, Jackson Pollock’s epic organic paintings, and M.C. Escher’s mind-bending prints. The growing impact of fractals on cultures around the world and their prevalence in nature raises a simple and yet crucial question – does exposure to fractal patterns have a positive impact on the observer? Collaborating with neuroscientists, I am investigating fractal fluency – the idea that, through exposure to nature’s fractals, our eyes have evolved over millions of years to process these patterns with relative ease, triggering an aesthetic experience accompanied by reductions in stress and mental fatigue. Given that the US spends over $300 billion on stress-related illnesses each year, incorporating fractals into our daily living and work spaces could have a huge impact on society. In this very visual talk, I will discuss the fractal fluency experiments along with my collaborations with artists, designers, and architects, who are currently installing many examples of fractals - solar panels, lights, window shades, ceiling tiles, and carpets - in buildings around the US. Be prepared to enjoy some stress-reducing fractals!