How can spheres be packed as densely as possible? And what connects mathematical structures to music? On November 6, 2026, Bielefeld University’s ‘Ars Mathematica’ lecture will bring together two extraordinary perspectives on mathematics: Fields Medalist Maryna Viazovska, alongside mathematician and musician Moreno Andreatta, will demonstrate the amount of creativity that is hidden in mathematical research. The event is open to the public and registration is now open.
‘Mathematics is far more than just calculation and formulas. It helps us to recognise hidden patterns and enables us to view the world from new perspectives,’ says Professor Dr Henning Krause, co-organiser of ‘Ars Mathematica’. ‘Our goal is to make current top level research accessible and to show how closely mathematics is linked to other sciences and the arts.’
© EPFL 2022 / Fred Merz
Of Spheres and Hidden Patterns
Maryna Viazovska is one of the world’s most renowned mathematicians. In 2022, the Ukrainian scientist was awarded the Fields Medal – one of the highest honors in the field of mathematics. She solved a long-standing open problem by determining the densest possible packing of spheres in both eight-dimensional and 24-dimensional spaces. While this may sound abstract, it addresses a fundamental question: How can spaces be filled as efficiently as possible? Such mathematical insights help us better understand complex structures.
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When Mathematics Brings Music to Life
Moreno Andreatta explores how mathematical models can explain musical structures. In his english language lecture, titled ‘Clocks, Honeycombs and Doughnuts: An Introduction to the Music of Maths’, he demonstrates how music and mathematics illuminate one another. His work highlights the way in which patterns are found not only in research but also in melodies, rhythms, and compositions.
Ars Mathematica is explicitly aimed at people without specialized mathematical knowledge. The lectures begin on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. in lecture hall building Y at Bielefeld University. Admission is available upon registration.
© Thorsten Hüls
