Exhibition Tour with Mathematics Professor Miklós Hoffmann

Exhibition Tour

January 23, 2025 / 19:00

Pera Museum is hosting guided exhibition tours led by Mathematics Professor Miklós Hoffmann as part of two exhibitions: Calculations and Coincidences, which showcases the works of pioneers in algorithmic and computer art, Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer, and Gizella Rákóczy, and In Search of Vera Molnár, which brings together 16 contemporary artists inspired by Vera Molnár’s artistic practice.

The guided tours will focus primarily on the relationship between the exhibited artworks with mathematics, probability, geometry and computer technology while seeking answers to such questions as; 

-How can one capture the transformations of a plane or space, be it the space of shapes or colors?
-How can we reach non-Euclidean worlds through arts?
-Is it possible to draw all possible movements in a single work?
-Is the computer a co-creator or just a tool?
-How and when did the cave paintings of computer-assisted art arise? 

The guided tour fee: 200 TL (Free for Pera Museum Friendship Program members.)

The 1-hour guided tour language will be in English and capacity is limited. To join the tour, you can buy tickets from Biletix or make a reservation via resepsiyon@peramuzesi.org.tr

About Miklós Hoffmann
Miklós Hoffmann is a professor of mathematics at the Eszterhazy Karoly University, Eger, Hungary and the Dean of the Faculty of Informatics. He teaches courses in geometry, computer graphics and arts. He has been studying the relationship between fine arts, computer science and mathematics for years, especially in terms of abstract geometric arts and computer-assisted arts. He also regularly gives guided tours and hosts vernissages in various contemporary art exhibitions.

Temporary Exhibition

Calculations and Coincidences

Calculations and Coincidences brought together three pioneers of algorithmic art—Vera Molnár, Dóra Maurer, and Gizella Rákóczy—through their works from the Hungarian National Bank Collection. The exhibition focused primarily on the profound influence of Molnár, who was unquestionably among the most significant names in computer art while tracing how the artistic explorations of Maurer and Rákóczy expanded the boundaries of abstraction through the integration of algorithms and mathematics.

Calculations and Coincidences

The Ottoman Way of Serving Coffee

The Ottoman Way of Serving Coffee

Coffee was served with much splendor at the harems of the Ottoman palace and mansions. First, sweets (usually jam) was served on silverware, followed by coffee serving. The coffee jug would be placed in a sitil (brazier), which had three chains on its sides for carrying, had cinders in the middle, and was made of tombac, silver or brass. The sitil had a satin or silk cover embroidered with silver thread, tinsel, sequin or even pearls and diamonds.

Cameria (Mihrimah Sultan)

Cameria (Mihrimah Sultan)

Based on similar examples by the European painters in various collections, this work is one of the portraits of Mihrimah Sultan, who was depicted rather often in the 16th century.

Félix Ziem (1821-1911) A nomadic, unclassifiable, and eccentric artist

Félix Ziem (1821-1911) A nomadic, unclassifiable, and eccentric artist

French artist Félix Ziem is one of the most original landscape painters of the 19thcentury. The exhibition Wanderer on the Sea of Light presents Ziem as an artist who left his mark on 19th century painting and who is mostly known for his paintings of Istanbul and Venice, where the city and the sea are intertwined.