The pentagonal universe by Gerard Caris
The new art exhibition in the Visitor Center of the Old Observatory in Leiden is here. The exhibition can be visited for free from the Hortus Botanicus or with a guided tour of the Old Observatory.
From March 7 to June 30, an exhibition by the almost 100-year-old artist Gerard Caris can be seen in the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The work of this special artist played a role in leading exhibitions at home and abroad. Central is pentagonism, or pentagonism. The exhibition is an initiative of the Hortus and Leiden Observatory, the astronomy institute of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Leiden University. At the cash register you can pick up a free walking route past some of Caris's sculptures and natural pentagons in the garden. For more in-depth information, you can also book a tour of the telescopes of the Old Observatory and the exhibition.
The exhibition 'Gerard Caris's p…
From March 7 to June 30, an exhibition by the almost 100-year-old artist Gerard Caris can be seen in the Hortus botanicus Leiden. The work of this special artist played a role in leading exhibitions at home and abroad. Central is pentagonism, or pentagonism. The exhibition is an initiative of the Hortus and Leiden Observatory, the astronomy institute of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Leiden University. At the cash register you can pick up a free walking route past some of Caris's sculptures and natural pentagons in the garden. For more in-depth information, you can also book a tour of the telescopes of the Old Observatory and the exhibition.
The exhibition 'Gerard Caris's pentagonal universe' presents more than 40 abstract reliefs, sculptures and paintings from his private collection, most of which have never been seen before. Central is the pentagonism, or pentagonism, developed by Caris.
Exceptional place in art
Throughout his career, Caris has been driven by a fundamental curiosity about the mathematical structure of the pentagon. In his work he investigates the unknowable structures of our world, from the smallest scales in nature to the largest structures of galaxies. Caris makes connections between art and science in a unique, natural way. This means he occupies an exceptional place within the art of the 20th century. His work is often associated with that of early, geometric-abstract artists such as Mondriaan and other members of De Stijl, but also with the work of M.C. Escher and with Zero artists such as Jan Schoonhoven. At the same time, his Pentagonism is a universe unto itself.
Mathematical beauty
The power of repetition and the pure use of visual means make Caris's work of great beauty. The exhibition provides an overview of the oeuvre that he built up over almost 60 years, with abstract reliefs, sculptures, paintings and graphic work. A specially made video in which the almost 100-year-old Caris is interviewed in his studio provides insight into his life and motivations. His working process is explained in a special room with sketches and prototypes. All in all, the exhibition offers a wonderful artistic and mathematical journey of discovery.