Science and the UniverCity series to present ‘Naked Geometry’ Nov. 5 at Bellingham City Hall

Mike Naylor will combine mathematics and art in his lecture, “Naked Geometry: Mathematics, Art and the Human Form,” as part of Western Washington University’s Science and the UniverCity community science lecture series from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the Bellingham City Council chambers, second floor, Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

The lecture is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by Western’s College of Sciences and Technology and the City of Bellingham.

Naylor will explain in his lecture how sculptures, connected body structures and animations can create visual images to express mathematical ideas. From pentamens (five-pointed stars) to more complex polyhedras, Naylor said he hopes that by thinking about these pictures people will, among other things, be reminded of how we are all connected to powerful and important ideas – and also to each other.

From 1999 to 2009, Naylor was a faculty member in Western’s Mathematics Department, and currently works for the Norwegian Technology and Science University in Trondheim, Norway. Naylor received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Michigan State University in 1992, a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Florida State University in 1996 and a doctorate in Mathematics Education from Florida State University in 1999.

His work of art and mathematics was awarded “Best in Show” and People's Choice Award at the 2013 Bridges Mathematical Art Exhibition in Enschede, Netherlands.

For more information about the event or the Science and the UniverCity lecture series, contact Jennifer Mott, Western’s College of Sciences and Technology communications consultant, at Jennifer.Mott@wwu.edu or (360) 650-2454.