Lecture

Who is Escher?

Joris Escher
Wednesday, December 20 2023, 12:40 PM - 1:20 PM
Blauwe Zaal, Auditorium
Price: Free (Student) Free (Others)

For many, the name Escher immediately conjures up images that are mind-boggling. Ever-changing birds and fish flow into one another and transform into other figures. Impossible objects and buildings that defy gravity make a mockery of reality as we know it. But who was the man who created all this work? His great-nephew is here to tell you all about him.

The year 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Maurits Cornelis Escher. To close the year, we have a lecture about this artist, whose many works were inspired by mathematics. While we won’t delve into his works, we will take a closer look at this person who created the art. 

In the book Becoming EscherJoris Escher embarks on a quest to discover the origins of his great uncle M.C. Escher’s fascination. For Joris, the search began when he found two drawings of his great-uncle’s drawings in a nineteenth-century Chinese lacquer box with ivory puzzles. The drawings had not seen the light of day for at least 90 years. Suspecting that the early studies were a key to his great-uncle's development as an artist, he began a journey of discovery that resulted in his book.

Join Escher’s journey to Haarlem, where he was an architecture student but soon switched to studying graphic arts. In the footsteps of M.C. Escher, you will be transported to Italy, from Japan and China to Canada, and from Spain back to Baarn. How did his work come about? How did Escher become Escher? In the book Becoming Escher, the world-famous graphic artist becomes a fallible human being once again. 

Ticket reservation recommended
To be assured of a seat, we recommend reserving a ticket (black “order” button).

SG & USE/ITEC registration 
Please register for SG & USE/ITEC by scanning your student ID at the venue prior to the start of the program.
More information about SG & USE/ITEC can be found here

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