Iwano Masahide
Maurizio Pellegrin
He Who Investigates Numbers
 
in "Maurizio Pellegrin at INDEX Gallery"
catalogue of the exhibition
Osaka, 1997
 

Numbers were represented by pebbles which shepherds used to count sheep (cardinal numbers) or by human hands which man used to count on his fingers (ordinal numbers). As indicated by these examples, numbers have existed anywhere that human beings observed natural phenomena such as the motion of the sun,
the moon, and stars.
Numbers were recorded on clay plates or by the quipu (signs in the form of knotted strings) of South American Indians. Numbers evolved as the concept of zero appeared and the decimal system was invented, along with the development of calculation instruments such as abaci. They were then recorded in Arabic, Roman, and Chinese numerals. The use of numerals allowed the concept of number to expand into both macroscopic and microscopic directions, leading (o algebra, geometry, and other departments of mathematics. Abstraction unique to mathematics progressed further, and then arose imaginary numbers, calculus, matrix, and probability. Mathematics is the basis of sciences today, being used as a measure of observation of natural and social phenomena. Moreover, the development of computers seems to have opened an era in which numerical values and quantities rule everything.
The tendency to use mathematics to study nature has existed since Aristoteles to quantum mechanics of modern times. However, we should by now have noticed the simple truth that mathematics in its nature is an exceptionally abstract artefact and it is a science for perfecting ‘man-made nature’. Born in Venice, Italy, Maurizio Pellegrin is an artist and philosopher investigating numbers. His studios are based in New York and Venice.
Visiting Japan, he will exhibit his art dealing with numbers at INDEX GALLERY.
You can expect much enjoyment from his works. Below is a note of a dictionary of numbers, which I interpreted from the artist’s memo.

1: natural number 1; unified field theory; God; origin; frontier;...
2: dualism; theory of relativity; duality; similarity; = (equal sign); Eros;...
3: triangle; Trinity; unseen worlds 1,2,3; hierarchy; Triangles wish to be circles;...
4: four natural elements (atmosphere, earth, fire, and water); material structure;...
5: the Star of David; golden section; five natural elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water); fasting; wind-god Anemos;...
6: sixth sense; six basic labels (sensho, tomobiki, senbu, butsumetsu, taian, and shakko) on a traditional Japanese calendar; 666—beast;...
7: seven-day week system (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun); Seven Gods
of Good Fortune; rite of passage; 3+4;...
8: eternity; infinity; = ∞ (infinity sign); 888 – Jesus Christ;...
9: 3 x 3; ..., etc.