News

Explorations in the realms of mathematics, art, design and architecture

Shapes in Action is a book for all those interested in interdisciplinary research and education.
Kirsi Peltonen & Taneli Luotoniemi (Eds.): Shapes in Action

For a decade, Aalto Math&Arts has been a platform for students and teachers from diverse fields to broaden their understanding of the nature of mathematics and its relation to arts, design and architecture. Aalto Math&Arts Minor is designed for students from all schools of Aalto University in all levels of education.

Shapes in Action is a brand new book that captures the challenges, rewards and outreach of building collaboration and seeking a common language between people and disciplines. 

Shapes in Action -aukeama.

Contents of the book are being divided into five chapters, "Why (not) Aalto Math&Arts?", "Crafting mathematics", "Visualisations through digital media", "Math & Arts Education" and "Societal impact".

The book has been edited by Kirsi Peltonen ja Taneli Luotoniemi, both teachers and lecturers at Aalto Math&Arts courses. Other authors include Marika Ahlavuo, Junfeng Ding, Paul Gailiunas, Paula Havaste, Markus Holste, Hannu Hyyppä, Laura Isoniemi, Reetta Kalajo, Kaisa Kangas, Riikka Kangaslampi, Hanne Kekkonen, Matti Kurkela, Tiina Laurila, Petteri Mäkiniemi, Mikko Myllykoski, Martti Raevaara, Markus Rissanen, Marco Rodriguez, Yuzhou Tong, Juho-Pekka Virtanen and Jeff Weeks

Shapes in Action is richly illustrated with photographs showcasing the works created by students in the Aalto Math&Arts courses. Visualisations, crafting and building by hand can give insights into mathematical phenomena that are often considered difficult and abstract. They are also a way in finding a common language among people with varying study and work backgrounds.

Shapes in Action -aukeama.

Aalto Math&Arts as well as Shapes in Action are excellent examples of the creative, innovative and interdisciplinary work at Aalto University. 

Shapes in Action is published by Aalto ARTS Books and available in Aalto University Shop and its webshop. An e-version will be available very soon.

Shapes in Action: Interdisciplinary views on Mathematics together with Arts, Design and Architecture at Aalto University
Kirsi Peltonen & Taneli Luotoniemi (Eds.)
Aalto ARTS Books, 2023
328 pages

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Three photos on blue background showing adults and children standing around tables
Campus, Research & Art Published:

"Bring your child to work day" 2024 at the Department of Applied Physics

Find out about a fun morning spent making ice cream for children hosted by the Department of Applied Physics
Three white, folded paper structures of varying sizes and shapes arranged on a grey surface.
Cooperation, Press releases, Research & Art Published:

New origami packaging technology creates sustainable and eye-catching alternatives to conventional packing materials

Origami packaging enables completely new properties for cartonboard, making it an excellent alternative to, for example, plastic and expanded polystyrene in packaging. The aesthetics of the material have also garnered interest from designers.
Jose Lado.
Research & Art Published:

Quantum physics professor searches for exotic qubit alternatives with new European funding

Aalto University physics professor Jose Lado will use this funding to engineer a new type of topological quantum material that could have applications for quantum bit, or “qubit,” development for noise-resilient topological quantum computation.
Talvikki Hovatta with the dome protecting the telescope in the background.
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Talvikki Hovatta wants to solve a mystery that has plagued astronomers for decades

A new receiver at the Metsähovi Radio Observatory and ERC funding from the European Research Council will enable research into the composition of relativistic jets launched by supermassive black holes