Ilhan Koman (1921 - 1986)
"Four pi"
Metal foil, 10cm x 10cm x 10 cm, 1983.
Description:
This copy is part of a declination of shapes (for better understanding please find enclosed a photo of the whole series, that will not be exhibited; photo name: piseries-NOTEXPO.jpg, but this poster could be printed and exhibited on request) formed by the folding of a flat circle by increasing its surface by multiples of pi, without changing its diameter.
"Rullande Gumman" (Swedish) "Rolling Lady", (in English)
Metal foil, 36cm x 18cm x 18 cm, 1983.
Description
This copy is part of a study on flexible polyhedra. Ilhan Koman demonstrated
in the 70's that polyhedra could be flexible. The presented artistic application
of this research more specifically demonstrates that such a shape can roll on
a straight line when gently pushed on a flat surface.
"Hyperform"
Transparent plastics, 12 cm x 12 cm x 27 cm, 1983.
Description
The 'Golden Section' is the fundamental concept in many of Koman's works. For instance, the Hyperform is created by taking a rectangle formed by four equal squares, twisting the corners by 360 degrees and joining them together (cf. Photo: makinghyperform,jpeg). As the number of squares icreases, the degree of twist at each level increases accordingly (360, 720 degrees, etc.), creating derivatives of the form.
General views on Koman's works
"Ilhan Koman always gives the impression of being an artist descended from Leonardo da Vinci, who gave priority to technical research in creating his works of art, and to scientific projects. In this respect, he cannot be classified in the category of ordinary sculptors, but confronts the observer with experience and research, and awareness of being receptive to the world of discovery. The way he captured wholeness in fragmentation and centrality in detail has given him a distinguished place in the art of sculpture."
Extract of Ilhan Koman: From the Accumulation of Experiment to the World of Discoveries, by Kaya Özsezgin, Ilhan Koman: Retrospective, p.24. Yapi Kredi Cultural Activities, Arts & Publishing Co. May 2005. Translation from Turkish to English by Mary Isin. Published on the occasion of the exhibition Ilhan Koman: Retrospective co-organised by the Ilhan Koman Foundation for Arts & Cultures, the Yapi Kredi Cultural Activities, Arts & Publishing Co., the Consulate General of Sweden in Turkey and the Istanbul French Institute, which attracted over 150,000 visitors between May & July 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey.