opening march 03, 2024, 1pm at workspace 3496 2/38 indi avenue red cliffs | opening remarks by helen vivian

“Al-Jabr, penned by Persian polymath Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī in 820 CE, is a groundbreaking Arabic mathematical treatise that introduced key concepts in algebra. Serving as the etymological origin of the term ‘algebra,’ it was translated into Latin in 1145 AD and remained a core mathematical textbook in European universities until the sixteenth century. Reflecting on my school days, algebra’s complexity intrigued me, especially al-Khwarizmi’s poetic description of it as the ‘restoration or re-union of broken parts.’ Following a challenging period in 2022 caring for my ailing daughter, the chaos in my studio took on new meaning, and al-Khwarizmi’s discovery resonated in the quietude of my late-night reflections.”