The world we know is built on triangles, mathematically speaking.

To determine how space sculpts itself, physicists describe its shape using triangles and their higher-dimensional analogs. To see how this works, first consider that triangle is 2 dimensional and is the simplest shape that can be made in 2 dimensions. A tetrahedron is the 3-dimensional form of a triangle, with 4 triangular sides.

Can you see that the tetrahedron is the most basic form possible in our world of 3 physical dimensions? Add anything and it becomes more complex. Take away anything and it collapses into 2 dimensions. I like to use tetrahedrons (here and here)  in my works even if they are just inferred via projection on a 2-dimensional surface.

That’s what scientists do too – as they postulate multidimensional realities of spacetime with projected representations in 2-dimensional drawings. A four-dimensional world is based on a pentachoron – the 4 -dimensional analog of the triangle. And on up into more complex dimensions. It all works mathematically, but we’ll never concretely experience those because our senses work only in our 3-D world.

Fun Fact:  Near the Planck scale (really, really small), spacetime itself is 2 D.

Explore more in the July 2008 issue of Scientific American. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-self-organizing-quantum-universe/   (You’ll need a subscription to read online).

The contemplation of such things led to the creation of this work.

This image is the formation of a triangle in 2-D. The Origin of Form. Don’t ask me what is making it. Maybe those are the one-dimensional vibrating strings from String Theory. Unknowably changed somewhat – in color at least – as they go through the process.

And is that the Eye of Providence?

This is an original print. I  created it digitally on a computer exclusively for Giclee printing.  Shop sizes and media here.