"Cuboctahedral Symmetries to Travel"

Original digitized machine stitched patterns on cotton reinforced by Timtex, Five moveable pieces, collapsible each 3” × 3” ×3”, 2009 .

detail

Conway enumerates the 7 spherical symmetries compatible with the uniform polyhedra in The Symmetries of Things. Using the symmetry types these are 332, *332, 432, 3*2, *432, 532 and *532. The simple cuboctahedron exhibits the first 5 of the symmetry patterns: *432 has 48 symmetries (the full group of symmetries), *332, 432 and 3*2 have 24 (the three subgroups of index 2=48/24) while 332 has only 12 (the one of index 4=48/12). Coloring the faces of the models for the Archimedean solids is a natural extension of my recent work with pop-up polyhedra.

S. Louise Gould, Associate Professor Mathematics Education
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, Connecticut

"My mathematical art grows out of my experiences with my students and my explorations of mathematics, textiles, paper, and technology. I enjoy working with computer controlled machines such as the computerized embroidery sewing machine and the Craft Robo (plotter cutter) as well as traditional looms and knitting machines."