Kreuzende Ellipsen – Intersecting Ellipses

by Mariana Castillo Deball

Photo: Andreas Schmitter

The sculpture “Intersecting Ellipses” by Mariana Castillo Deball was inspired by the collection of mathematical models and instruments at the University of Göttingen. The collection was initiated by mathematician Felix Klein and contains objects from between 1780 and 1930. With a number of techniques and materials, such as plaster, wire, wood, metal, and paper, the collection tries to depict the impossible: mathematical equations and topological surfaces. It is an attempt to bridge the gap between abstract ideas and worldly materials.

Mariana Castilla Deball designed the sculpture “Intersecting Ellipses” for the Aachen Engineering Award. VDI, the Association of German Engineers, sponsored the sculpture. Dr. Werner Dohmen, Chair of the Neuer Aachener Kunstverein (NAK), played an advisory role in the selection of the artist.

The Artist

Mariana Castillo Deball was born in 1975 in Ciudad, Mexico. She studied art at the University of Mexico and completed a postgraduate program at Jan Van Eyck Academie, Maastricht (2002 -03).

The artist has presented her work in several international exhibitions in Europe, North and South America, an China. In 2012, her work was exhibited at the 13th Documenta in Kassel, Germany.  Furthermore, her work was presented as part of exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (2012) and at the Tate Modern, London (2010).

Mariana Castillo Deball has received several high-profile awards, including the Preis der Nationalgalerie für junge Kunst, Berlin (2012), and the Zurich art prize.

Already in 2002, the Mexican artist has presented her work at an exhibition at the Neuer  Aachener Kunstverein (NAK).