The Art of the Impossible: M.C. Escher and Me

2015 29min

Dutch graphic artist MC Escher created some of the most famous graphic illusions in 20th century popular culture. He inspired artists, designers and film directors. Yet his most profound impact was on a different field to art entirely – mathematics. Cosmologist Professor Sir Roger Penrose is one of the world’s leading mathematicians. His research into black holes with Stephen Hawking transformed our understanding of the big bang. In this film, coinciding with the first ever major UK retrospective of Escher’s work Professor Penrose now reveals how his own mathematical sketches inspired some of Escher’s best-known masterpieces.

Storyline

Dutch graphic artist MC Escher created some of the most famous graphic illusions in 20th century popular culture. He inspired artists, designers and film directors. Yet his most profound impact was on a different field to art entirely – mathematics. Cosmologist Professor Sir Roger Penrose is one of the world’s leading mathematicians. His research into black holes with Stephen Hawking transformed our understanding of the big bang. In this film, coinciding with the first ever major UK retrospective of Escher’s work Professor Penrose now reveals how his own mathematical sketches inspired some of Escher’s best-known masterpieces.

Released
September 20, 2015
Runtime
29min
Director
Language
English
Production
BBC, BBC Scotland, BBC Four
Cast