Imagine mathematics, imagine with the help of mathematics, imagine new worlds, new geometries, new forms. Imagine building mathematical models that make it possible to manage our world better, imagine solving great problems, imagine new problems never before thought of, imagine combining music, art, poetry, literature, architecture, theatre and cinema with mathematics. Imagine the unpredictable and sometimes counterintuitive applications of mathematics in all areas of human endeavour.
This seventh volume starts with a homage to the Italian artist Mimmo Paladino who created exclusively for the Venice Conference 2019 ten original and unique works of art paper dedicated to the themes of the meeting. A large section is dedicated to the most recent Fields Medals including a Homage to Maryam Mirzakhani including a presentation of the exhibition on soap bubbles in art and science that took place in 2019. A section is dedicated to cinema and theatre including the performances by Claire Bardainne & Adrien Mondot. A part of the conference focused on the community of mathematicians, their role in literature and even in politics with the extraordinary example of Antanas Mockus Major of Bogotá. Mathematics in the constructions of bridges, in particular in Italy in the Sixties was presented by Tullia Iori. A very particular contribution on Origami by a mathematician, Marco Abate and an artist, Alessandro Beber. And many other topics. As usual the topics are treated in a way that is rigorous but captivating, detailed and full of evocations. This is an all-embracing look at the world of mathematics and culture.
The world, life, culture, everything has changed in a few weeks with the Coronavirus. Culture, science are the main ways to safeguard people's physical and social life. Trust in humanity's creativity and ability. The motto today in Italy is
Everything will be fine.
This work is addressed to all those who have an interest inMathematics.
Michele Emmer is a member of the Istituto Veneto di Lettere, Scienze e Arti in Venice, founded by Napoleon. Former Professor of Mathematics at La Sapienza University in Rome (until 2015), since 1997 he has organized the Mathematics and Culture conferences in Venice. He has organized several exhibitions, cooperating with The Biennale of Art of Venice and the Prada Foundation among others. He is a member of the board of the Journal "Leonardo: art, science and technology", MIT Press, a filmmaker, including a film on M.C. Escher, and author of the series "Art and Math". He is also editor of the series "Mathematics and Culture" and “Imagine Math” by Springer, as well as the series "The Visual Mind" by MIT Press. His most recent books include “Flatlandia di E. Abbott, with DVD, music by Ennio Morricone, 2008; “Bolle di sapone tra arte e matematica”, Bollati Boringhieri, 2010, which won the best Italian essay award at Viareggio 2010; “Numeri immaginari: cinema e matematica”, Bollati Boringhieri, 2012; “Il mio Harry’s bar”, Archinto ed., 2012; “Imagine Math 3”, Springer, 2013; “Imagine Math 4” Springer, 2015, “Imagine Math 5”, Springer, 2016, “Imagine Math 6”, Springer, 2018; “Racconto matematico: memorie impersonali con divagazioni”, 2019, Bollati Boringhieri.
Marco Abate is a Full Professor of Geometry at the University of Pisa. He has written more than one hundred scientific papers and textbooks, as well as several papers on the popularization of mathematics. His interests include holomorphic dynamics, geometric function theory, differential geometry, writing (comic books and more), photography, origami, and travelling (having already visited Antarctica his next destination is the Moon).
