Mathematics in the service of painting: Unique paintings from multi-colored threads by Anya Abakumova

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Considering the delightful creations of the self-taught artist from Moscow Anya Abakumova, who creates unique paintings in the style of string art, not with paints, but with ordinary threads, I just want to exclaim: truly the world of modern art is magnificent, unpredictable and fantastic. From skillfully intertwined ordinary multi-colored threads, the craftswoman creates art paintings familiar to all art lovers, which contain mathematical formulas, calculations and painstaking jewelry work.

I would like to note that this technique in this technique is the author's. It is based, as mentioned above, on a mathematical calculation, which was developed by Ani's husband, Andrei, a graduate of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. It calculates the direction and color of each thread on the computer. Thanks to their overlay, recognizable images are obtained. The main and most painstaking part of the work is performed by Ani: for two to three weeks she winds threads around the nails located at the edges of the plywood circle.

A unique technique invented by the young spouses makes it possible to reproduce fragments of various masterpieces of world painting with amazing accuracy. The Abakumovs have been working in the "thread technique" quite recently and so far only reproduce the portrait painting of the masters of the Renaissance, as well as the Pre-Raphaelites - English artists of the second half of the 19th century. But in their creative plans - an appeal to Russian painting, in particular to the works of the Wanderers.

According to Andrey, the calculations for the "thread technique" for the reproduction of landscape painting are almost ready for him, and he and his wife are almost ready to put them into operation. And there are other genres of fine art on the way.

In the meantime, their unique works have long been talked about and written by "World News", exhibitions are successfully held in Moscow, Europe, Canada, and the USA.

Giving an interview, Ani Abakumova says that more than five years ago, she and her husband were amazed by the work of a Greek artist, made in the "thread technique", who used only black thread in his work. Then the couple set out to create color works, which was much more difficult, but more interesting. Accordingly, the most complex mathematical calculations and calculations were needed, which Andrei did. It didn't work out right away, but already in 2017, the algorithm developed by the programmer was launched into the creative process. And as a result, the first portrait.

Now, on average, it takes about a month to create one picture. I would also like to note that these are quite impressive works in size - up to 70 centimeters in diameter and more. And to consider them, you need to move a considerable distance.

And Ani also says:

At the same time, Abakumova is a non-professional artist, she teaches French at the Higher School of Economics.

A little from the history of "thread technology"

String Art - this is the name of the technique that formed the basis of the creativity of young Muscovite spouses - art is quite old. It was born and spread from England four hundred years ago. English weavers in that distant era decorated their homes in this way. By stuffing nails on wooden planks in a certain sequence, as a rule, these were some figures, and winding multi-colored threads on them, they created openwork pictures, which they hung on the walls.

The thread weaving technique invented by them was transformed and improved over time. And she achieved particular popularity in England when this method was adopted by the English mathematician Mary Everest Boole (1832 - 1916), author of didactic works entitled "Philosophy and Fun of Algebra." Her progressive ideas in education included the knowledge of mathematics through playful actions such like sewing a curve. With the help of threads and nails, Mary taught children algebra and geometry. And it should be noted that this method was a tremendous success. It was in those years that the String Art technique from Mary Bull was born and has survived to this day.

Continuing the topic of author's techniques in contemporary art, read: The mesmerizing beauty of carved pumpkins from Marilyn Sunderland, American artist creating pumpkin sculptures.