zycles II, 2013

With this edition, which is part of his zycles series, Thomas Ruff transforms mathematical precision into visual poetry. Inspired by 19th-century engravings of magnetic fields – particularly those in the writings of physicist James Clerk Maxwell – Ruff used 3D modeling software to visualize complex cycloid curves derived from linear algebra. The resulting structures, composed of flowing, interwoven lines, evoke associations with abstract drawing, minimalism, planetary orbits, or sound waves. While rooted in mathematical logic, these images transcend their origins to become delicate, dynamic compositions full of rhythm and spatial tension.