Csörgő, Attila: How to Construct an Orange? (1993)

Attila Csörgő’s works often represent possible solutions of complex mathematical, physical or descriptive geometrical problems, combining precise calculations and engineering design with the excitement of discovery. This delicate drawing is a blueprint containing the designs and calculations for the installation of the same title, and it explores the possibilities of folding a three-dimensional, approximately spherical shape from a two-dimensional plane. When he began working on this, the artist was interested in the a priori incompatibility between two seemingly related systems: while certain forms, such as the cube, may be conveniently created from a plane, attempts to flatten a sphere reveal the ultimate contradiction between the two systems. Similarly to the concept of peeling an orange in a spiral, or by connecting certain regular planar figures, it is possible to construct approximately spherical solids. If the resulting light paper solids are placed above “paper turbines”, they will rotate, bounce and float in the air stream in different ways, depending on their structure. (Kati Simon)