International Mathematics Day 2025: Mathematics, Art, and Creativity
The program was designed to illustrate the idea that mathematics—both in concrete calculations and abstract ideologies—serves as a foundation for realizing artistic visions and inspiring infinite creativity. A highlight of the event was two public lectures on the Applications of Mathematics in Art and the Philosophy of Mathematics in Creativity.
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Prof. Dr. Tran Van Tan – Hanoi National University of Education with the lecture "Mathematics and the Art of Tiling"
Prof. Dr. Tran Van Tan - Hanoi National University of Education with the lecture "Mathematics and the art of marble tiling". He pointed out that in daily life, we can easily encounter artistic mosaic tiling styles on squares, street walls, castles or ancient architectural works. Tiling a flat floor with tiles of equal size not only requires the craftsman's skill but also follows strict mathematical principles. The lecture focuses on the mathematical aspects of the tiling process, include: Mathematical representation of single-sided and double-sided tiles; Rules for arranging and covering surfaces; Influence of image rules on artistic effects; Classification of tiling styles from a mathematical perspective; "Work locally, think globally" thinking in design and practical application.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai – Vietnam National University, Hanoi with the lecture "The Role of Mathematics in Creativity and the Pursuit of Truth"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai - Hanoi National University with the lecture "The role of mathematics in creating and approaching the truth". The lecture discussed the role of mathematics in approaching problems that seem to belong only to philosophy and science fiction such as subjective experience and the possibility of artificial intelligence. He focused on two specific examples, illustrating how mathematics provides new tools and perspectives: Decoding the experience of color and "Intuition" of AlphaFold2. The experience of color is a typical example of "qualia", which are subjective feelings that are difficult to describe in words. In the field of artificial intelligence, AlphaFold2, a system capable of predicting protein structures with astonishing accuracy, has made a big splash. The system uses Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA), along with a neural network architecture, allowing AlphaFold2 to “learn” hidden patterns in data and make accurate predictions, similar to how human intuition helps us make quick decisions based on experience.
The event also featured a panel discussion with prominent experts, including Prof. Dr. Sc. Ha Huy Khoai, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai, Dr. Nguyen Phuong Dat, and expert Lang Minh. The discussion explored the deep connections between mathematics, art, and creativity, emphasizing that mathematical thinking is not only useful in science but also widely applicable in daily life and management.
Prof. Dr. Sc. Ha Huy Khoai highlighted the common ground between mathematics and art—both require creativity—while also pointing out their differences, offering profound insights into their nature. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Dat emphasized that mathematical thinking plays a crucial role in management and creativity. Mathematics helps structure and systematize thinking, even in fields not directly related to it. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Hai, a physicist, underscored the interdisciplinary nature of mathematics. He noted that mathematics is not only practically applicable but also holds value in abstract reasoning and creativity. Expert Lang Minh pointed out that mathematical thinking—characterized by reasoning, abstraction, and data analysis—drives innovation and enhances the quality of work in social sciences.
The International Mathematics Day program, themed "Mathematics, Art, and Creativity," was a resounding success. The event was held both in-person and streamed live on digital platforms, attracting researchers, students, and public. It offered a multidimensional perspective on mathematics, showcasing it not only as a field of numbers and equations but as a powerful way of thinking—one that enables people to explore the world's complexities, unlock new horizons, shape the future, and drive boundless creativity.
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese version
