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Art, Math, and Healing during COVID-19: A Creative Exploration with Jana Mohanty

Hello everyone, and thank you for joining me today. I am Jana Mohanty, the founder and CEO of The Machination LLC, a company that focuses primarily on math educational products. In this article, I would love to share my journey of creating art during the COVID-19 lockdown and the connections I discovered thanks to technology.

Who am I?

With a solid educational background in mathematics and engineering, I became a lecturer in mathematics at the University of California, San Diego before launching The Machination LLC. The main product of our company, Geometers, is a set of tiles I invented for exploring and learning math. With geometries, you can create beautiful, intricate, and mathematical designs.

Art Creation during lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown, people turned social media into a virtual art hub, recreating iconic paintings using household props. Inspired by this trend and as a mathematician, I decided to recreate classical math-themed artworks.

The Intersection: Maths, Art, and Leonardo Da Vinci

When discussing the merger of math and art, Leonardo da Vinci is a standout figure. With his contribution to the 16th-century math book, The Divina Proportion, Da Vinci cemented his place in history. He drew the solids known as Platonic Archimedean solids from a unique perspective, transforming them from 3D models into flat illustrations.

Thanks to modern technology, we can explore these intricate illustrations online. Inspired by Da Vinci's creativity, I decided to recreate his tetrahedron drawing using Geometers, adding my touch to the COVID Classics Movement.

Math Artworks: A Comfort in Troubling Times

When the lockdown dragged on, life presented personal challenges, and I used math artwork creation as my form of healing. Another mathematical artwork that caught my attention was Campano, a model of the Earth portrayed in the book of 13th-century Italian monk.

Creating Campano with Snap Origami and Tetra Packs

Due to the clear limitations of Geometers, I decided to create Campano with a combination of Snap Origami and Tetra Packs. Tetra Packs are commonly used to package liquids like milk and soups, and once they have been emptied and cleaned, they can be repurposed as a sturdy material for origami. I cut the Tetra Packs into strips, and using the Snap Origami technique, I was able to create a replica of Campano without any glue, only relying on tension and friction.

Connecting with Kindred Spirits

The pandemic gave everyone an opportunity to slow down, allowing for deeper exploration into our passions. Through virtual conferences like the Joint Mathematical Meetings, I was able to showcase my work while sparking inspiration in others. A Sicilian man, for instance, created his own version of Campano after seeing mine on social media.

A Healing Installation

Early into 2021, I heard about the I Yasi (healing) exhibition in San Diego's Japanese Friendship Garden. I decided to submit my Campano sphere, which undoubtedly offered me much healing during the distressing lockdown period, and was thrilled when it got accepted.

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

The COVID-19 pandemic was indeed a challenging time for us all, but I found solace in creating art. The lockdown gave me the chance to slow down, focus on my interests and connect with like-minded individuals globally. When times are tough, remember the phrase: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Search for the positives and make the most of your resources.

This journey has taught me that art, mathematics, and technology can intersect in healing ways, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Find what comforts you, let your mind wander, and who knows – you might discover something magnificent.


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