Event One | Gerald de Jong-- Math + Art

Last week I attended Gerald De Jong’s “Math + Art” guest lecture where he provided an in-depth analysis of the intersection between math, art, science, and technology through the concept of tensegrity. Tensegrity is an intricate art form that uses suspension, tension, wires, and rods to create unique sculptures where a minimal amount of the physical pieces actually come in contact with each other. 


Jong reiterates the involvement of mathematics in the building process through emphasizing the fact that precise measurements and placements are key, otherwise the balance of the entire sculpture will be noticeably off. Additionally, the use of prefabricated tension allows the structure to reach a stable state that would not be able to be reached without this method. 


Screenshot from the event– one of Gerald de Jong’s structures. 


It was interesting to observe the planning process Jong undergoes to develop these structures. He was originally influenced by the work of Kenneth Snelson, an American sculptor who dabbled in tensegrity. One of the first of Snelson’s pieces that intrigued Jong, titled “Needle Tower,” is a large sculpture located in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C..


Picture taken from a screenshot of Gerald de Jong’s guest lecture– shows Kenneth Snelson’s “Needle Tower” 


Jong took these designs and successfully attempted to find a new way to upgrade them. He developed a way to build virtually and then follow computerized plans to make a physical version; computer models are essential to constructing with such a high level of complexity and detail as there is a multitude of different lengths of rods and connections which were not in the original scope of Snelson’s work. 


This model titled “Halo” was virtually redesigned and physically reconstructed multiple times, each time producing a more structurally-sound result. 


Jong’s portrayal of tensegrity marries art and STEM in a unique, non-obvious way; as a result, I would highly recommend attending any future events that he hosts, or at least to watch the recorded version of his guest lecture.







Here is the screenshot of my reservation email:





Works Cited

“Buckminster Fuller Institute.” Buckminster Fuller Institute, https://www.bfi.org/. Accessed 11 April 2022.

“Cellular Automaton -- from Wolfram MathWorld.” Wolfram MathWorld, https://mathworld.wolfram.com/CellularAutomaton.html. Accessed 11 April 2022.

“Kenneth Snelson.” Kenneth Snelson, http://kennethsnelson.net/biography/. Accessed 11 April 2022.

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