Music Meets Abstract Mathematics

Magic often occurs when two worlds collide. A union of the arts and the sciences can be described as just that. On July 27 the mathematician, Prof Zurab Janelidze, joined with the musician, Prof Hans Roosenschoon, in an intriguing presentation called Music Meets Abstract Mathematics in the Jannasch Hall, Stellenbosch. Prof Janelidze is a Prof in the department of Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) and the president of the South African Mathematical Society while Professor Roosenschoon is a well known South African composer and a retired Professor of Music at SU. This dynamic duo have developed a theory based on Gestalt principles — the subconscious grouping of different elements to create a whole. Prof Janelidze used mathematical proof to explain how the Gestalt hierarchy can be used in mathematics and then continued to demonstrate this grouping in music. In mathematical proofs one makes an assumption and continues to follow one line of argument until there is a contradiction and a new idea needs to be introduced. This can be seen in music as its atmosphere or overall feeling shifts. These shifts are not necessarily based on specific elements such as key, dynamics, bars or phrasing but rather on the feeling of the music as a whole, hence the Gestalt principles’ influence. Professor Janelidze said that there is “a commonality between music and mathematics that [we] are trying to uncover with this project”. “Music has structure, but mathematical arguments also have structure. In some sense that structure is more the music than the individual sounds and words themselves.” The audience was highly interactive and challenged the thinking behind this theory. Prof Janelidze encouraged the audience to clap when they felt a shift in the music or a change into a new ‘Gestalt Block’ which integrated the audience with the concept. This theory was explored through The Beatles, Kriek from Goggaboek by Prof Hans himself and a SU choir performance of Sizongena. The ideas sparked a debate between SU students, Milano Reyneke who is an Applied Mathematics student and passionate musician and Carlyle Stewart who is also a Mathematics student. Milano displayed criticism as he said that ‘I actually [think that the way music is traditionally scored captures every element of the structure that there is in music.” Carlyle said coming from a mathematical background, a fan of abstracting and looking through a lens to see the bigger shape” and “there might be subtle themes that stretch over too great intervals that we can’t comprehend all of the fine structure at the same time so if we take something away it might be that there is a subtle theme that shows itself that we wouldn’t have seen if we consider the finest structure.” They agreed that the theory might lead to new facets of the structure of music, even if it is not immediately clear now.

Prof Janelidze and Prof Roosenschoon conducted their under a research programme called Mathematics Modelling at the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational sciences (NITheCS) who are “moving science to make a greater impact in Africa”. They present many talks in Stellenbosch similar to this one for which the information is available on their webpage nithecs.ac.za.

Jani Roux

Nothing, whether it be natural resources, health or fashion, can obtain longevity without sustainability. Therefore, promoting sustainable fashion was the main aim of the fashion game at the first, sustainable fashion soiree on Wednesday, 26 July at the Toco headquarters on Ryneveld street.

Tegan Gibaud, climate change scientist, combined her passion for fashion and the environment into an event that benefits both.

Gibaud brought this concept to life in collaboration with TOCO, used2beyours, stellies styles, drip markets, and other vendors selling second-hand clothing.

While fashion is fun, it can also be fatal, environmentally wise. That H&M dress might look a lot less cute when we start to realize that the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter after oil. So if you are someone that struggles with climate doom, like Gibaud once did, opt for shopping secondhand, one of the answers to the sustainability question.

“I think it has the capacity to make the biggest difference. At the moment there [are] still big corporations like Shein and H&M that are pumping out so much clothing every day at an unsustainable rate.

But in the past 5 to 10 years there has been a shift towards more sustainable fashion. It starts with the individuals and it starts with us, so I’m very hopeful,” says Gibaud.

If you are a fan of fashion and bubble tea then you will love the venue of the next soiree.

Yes, you guessed it, the 4tea bubble tea shop in Tibet Center will host the next sustainable fashion soiree at the end of

August. But if you can’t make it, Gibaud has other tips on how to practice sustainability; “rethink your purchases and maybe look at second hand first.” The following handles are filled with pre-loved clothes just ready to be worn again: