By George Hart for the Museum of Mathematics
The Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher has inspired many people to create mathematical artwork. This elegant cut-and-fold paper model of Escher’s famous lithograph, Relativity, is a virtuoso homage to Escher’s genius.
Bryan Peele designed this construction, which is cut from a single sheet of 8.5 by 11 inch paper and cleverly locks together without glue or tape.
The full scale version of his template, to print, cut, and fold your own paper copy, is available here. Note that Escher’s original design really is constructible in 3D. It is not a perspective trick or optical illusion, and so has also been realized in Lego and other materials.
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