You might not know the name Maurits Cornelis Escher (or M.C. Escher to you and I) but I can almost guarantee that you’ve seen his work somewhere. Much to his great chagrin, probably not where it deserves to be. Indeed, his art and designs have become so ingrained in popular culture that they’ve almost ubiquitous. From album covers to inspiring scenes in movies (such as Inception) and featuring on a number of collectable items, from tea towels to place mats.
However, there was much more to the Dutch graphic artist’s work than providing an image for a novelty keyring in a gift shop. His work was deeply inspired by the symmetries within the natural world and despite not being mathematically trained much of his later output delved deep within scientific principles. Escher: Journey Into Infinity, the new documentary from filmmaker Robin Lutz, focuses on his life and legacy.
Narrated by Stephen Fry in the artist’s own words (from letters, diaries and lectures) and featuring interviews with his sons, Escher: Journey Into Infinity gets under the skin of a man who never received the credit he deserved during his lifetime. It’s a film which is made with a touch of panache, using his visions to illustrate their complexities. Demonstrating that Escher deserves much greater appreciation, both from within the art world and in the wider mathematical community.
Escher: Journey Into Infinity is in cinemas from 13 August.
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