June 01, 2007
Mario Livio is Senior Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, headquarters of the Hubble Telescope. He's written several books describing the relationship between science and art, including The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved: How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry. Kurt and Mario talk about how science and human expression find common ground in the language of symmetry.
The works of the late graphic artist M.C. Escher have been admired for decades by students and scholars alike. But Escher claimed to have failed his own high school exams. He considered becoming an architect before traveling to Spain, where he hit upon a better way to express himself. Produced by Sarah Lilley.
Contemporary composer Steve Reich explains the various symmetrical techniques that animate the music he loves. Produced by Trent Wolbe.
Are supermodels more symmetrical? Beauty expert Kelley Quan explains how symmetry affects human attraction. Quan is a make-up artist, and founder of the online fashion magazine ZooZOOM.com.
Studio 360 is a co-production of
Public
Radio International and
WNYC New York Public Radio, and is funded in part by
Ken and Lucy Lehman, the
National Endowment for the Arts, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and
DK Eyewitness Travel. Studio 360's American Icons series is supported in part by the
National Endowment for the Humanities. Our series on creativity and science is supported in part by the
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Our series on Underground Heroes is supported in part by the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. 
