turkmath.org

Possibly more than any other science mathematics of today finds itself between the conflicting demands of research, application and communication. A great part of modern mathematics regards itself as searching for inner mathematical structures just for their own sake, only committed to its own axioms and logical conclusions. To do so, neither assumptions nor experience nor applications are needed or desired. On the other hand, mathematics has become one of the driving forces in scientific progress and moreover, has even become a cornerstone for industrial and economic innova- tion. However, public opinion stands in strange contrast to this, often displaying a large amount of mathematical ignorance. In this talk, which addresses to an audience without any special mathematical education, I shall look at these tensions and try to reveal some of the causes that lie underneath. I will focus on the question whether it is possible or necessary to transmit an understanding of mathematics to the general public.
The exhibition “IMAGINARY – Through the Eyes of Mathematics” is an attempt to interpret and communicate mathematics to a broad audience. It is about mathematics as an art, geometry is presented as attractive visual creations. Its aim is to interest people in mathematics by showing them the beauty of mathematical objects and fill them with inspiration and imagination.