Knot Exhibit

Goals of the Exhibit

We want visitors to the exhibit to leave with several key ideas:

Knots are fun: People smile when they talk about knots. Many children learn the basic patterns of knotting, braiding, and weaving before they learn arithmetic. We tie our shoes, braid our hair, and disentangle extension cords. Knots are cultural, artistic, religious expressions.
Knots are also mathematics: The tangling and linking of filaments is one of the fundamental ways that matter behaves. Many of the strongest mathematical advances in recent years have been in the area of knot theory. Tangling is important in studying DNA and other polymers, electro-magnetic fields and plasmas, and of course in tangible engineering applications such as cable or tire design. Studying knotted DNA has led to a dynamic collaboration between mathematicians and microbiologists.
Knots are a bridge between the cultural and scientific ways of knowing: Basic experiments can be done with rope, other require computer calculation for precision, complexity, numerous repetitions, and statistical analysis. Computer visualization offers physical insight and aesthetic pleasure. Knots can bring people to technology in an enjoyable yet intellectually substantial way. Despite the use of computers to explore knotting, tying knots is also one of our most ancient technologies.
Knots are ubiquitous: Every culture has a tradition of knotting. Knots are woven into our clothing. Knots are in our DNA. Knots keep our shoes on our feet. What could be better?

Knots have several advantages over other branches of mathematics that lead us to believe that this exhibit will be a great success:

Knots are accessible mathematics: To take but one example, consider the common braid pattern (for hair or bread).
Knots are tactile and visual: Meaningful activities can be distributed by print, television, or web media, or for quick implementation using at-home materials. Mathematics is the science of patterns; and knots are robust patterns whose simplicity and beauty provide an irresistible conduit to the mathematics.

Exhibit plans

We plan to have (at least) four major components to the knot exhibit as described below. Follow the links to read about specific ideas, a plan for implementing them, and the current state of completeness.

Large static panels with spectacular graphics and explanatory text:Details on specific exhibit panel ideas.
Interactive computer-based activity areas: We see two different kinds of activities, possibly physically combined into one physical device (that alternates between the two activities). The first kind of activity is interactive knot theory exploration with KnotPlot and the second activity is knot creation (not necessarily immediately related to knot theory). Details on specific exhibit activity ideas.
Large projection screen with non-stop, non-repeating, randomized KnotPlot graphics: This was successfully employed at the Saskatoon exhibit (see below) where KnotPlot ran unattended without mishap for each day. Details on KnotPlot movie ideas.
Companion web site and CD-ROM: We plan to use the Knot Project web site as a vehicle to explore the universal cultural and scientific nature of knotting phenomena. One plan is to have a unique web experience (this sounds like a cliche, but it's still possible) which is entirely devoid (or nearly devoid) of written language. The forms and patterns will speak for themselves. Another possibility is to have a more traditional web site, with written text availible in both English and Portuguese language versions.

The Knot Project Team

The Knot Project is a team of three knot theory researchers who are dedicated to bring knot theory to a large and diverse audience. The Knot Project uses widespread cultural familiarity with knotting, braiding, and weaving to introduce beautiful and scientifically important mathematics to people who might otherwise not be open to thinking mathematically.

Why Knots? - our motivation
What is the Knot Project? --- who we are

Knots and Mathematics Exhibit in Saskatoon

The Knot Project (Scharein) recently collaborated in a small scale museum exhibit called Knots and Mathematics which was held at the Gordon Snelgrove Art Gallery at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon on January 7-18, 2002. The organizers were Keith Taylor, Department of Mathematics and Paul Hamilton of the Fine Arts Department. The exhibit was a great success, proving that "this stuff works". Scharein's contribution was an electronic one, we intend to enhance this component for the June exhibit.

Photo gallery

Univ. of Sask. links related to the Saskatoon exhibit: Exhibit Web Site Virtual Tour Review