In preparation for the Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef exhibition, part of this year's Ultimo Science Festival in August, a series of crochet workshops were held at the Powerhouse Museum.

Organised by the Sydney-based collective In Stitches, these one-day events were devised to introduce experienced crocheters to the idea of creating models of hyperbolic space and to teach beginners about crochet and hyperbolic mathematics, all culminating in a crocheted coral reef which is now on display in the museum.

A worldwide, collaborative installation, established by sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute For Figuring in Los Angeles, The Crochet Coral Reef is inspired by geometric models of hyperbolic space, originally developed by mathematician Dr Daina Taimina.

Linking the community through science, mathematics and craft, the project aims to fabricate a whole taxonomy of organic reef-like forms, created by using handicraft techniques that not only look like actual reef but that also draw on the same geometrical characteristics.


Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street
Ultimo Sydney
Email: derekw@phm.gov.au for workshop details


Powerhouse Museum
Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef blog
Ultimo Science Festival
The Institute for Figuring
Margaret Wertheim at TED Conference 2009



TAGS
+ Craft
+ Contemporary
+ Crochet
+ Textile
+ Geometric
+ Powerhouse
+ Workshop
+ Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef