Some other activities ...

Science Art

I am very interested in modern art. Maybe because Art is a bit like science. Art translates complex concepts such as emotions and ideas into a visual language. In science we translate equally abstract concepts into the language of mathematical equations. Like the great works of Art, great works of science are praised for their elegance. Like the master pieces of science, the master pieces of art capture complexity in their simplicity.

Together with Martin Baurmann from the University of Oldenburg I tried to push the analogy between art and science a bit further. We wrote a little program that carried out a useful scientific computation, but at the same time visualized the results in an aestetically pleasing way. Thanks to modern graphics technology the visualization consumes only very little numerical time, while visualizing the beauty of the underlying equations.

Currently, the simulation can be seen in an installation at the Universum science center in Bremen. A major science museum, that is visited by approx. 1500 visitors a day.

More information on this project can be found here

Shakti

Although many people dont believe it, I really like running and hiking. I also enjoy playing volleyball and did a bit of Tai Chi and Kendo in the past. But the sport I am most enthusiastic about is called Shakti.

In the wars of ancient india, the opposing armies would rest for some time before the battle. During this time the champions of each army walked out on the battle field and challanged the enemy to individual duels. Before each duel the opponents taunted each other by showing off their mastery of the shastar vidia, the vedic art of combat. The style of fighting, known as Gatka, was conserved in the Sikh religion. The closely related artistic mastery of weapons is now sometimes called Shakti.

Shakti is hard to descibe, as it is situated somewhere between meditation, dancing, juggling and martial art. While being part of Kundalini Yoga, Shakti is meditation in movement. Although closely related to traditional indian Kata dancing, the movements of Shakti reveal their martial origin. The complex movements of Shakti remind of juggling, but are carried out with the force needed in battle.