Self-Shaping: The Aesthetics of Transformation in Design and Mathematics: Arielle Blonder

ARIELLE BLONDER (Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, IL)

Self-shaping processes—where materials transform autonomously in response to intrinsic properties and external conditions—reveal a profound connection between mathematics, material behaviour, and design. Introducing the principles underlying self-shaping, this lecture will explore how these dynamic transformations generate novel aesthetic possibilities, challenging static notions of form, conventional fabrication and authorship in architecture. Prediction and guidance of material transformations is enable through the framework of differential geometry, optimisation algorithms, and physical. Through this lens, the elegance of self-shaping phenomena is captured, revealing an inherent beauty in emergent patterns and spatial adaptations. Beyond efficiency and material intelligence, self-shaping invites us to reconsider the expressive potential of geometry and emergent form, and the poetic interplay between structure and force. By bridging artistic intuition with scientific rigour, this talk aims to inspire new perspectives on architectural practice, interdisciplinary material innovation, and the evolving dialogue between design and nature.

Arielle Blonder is an architect, combining academic activity with architectural practice ranging from architectural design and unique outdoor spaces to sensorial environments for people with special needs, exhibitions, textile design and more. Her research is centred on composite materials and fabric materiality, searching for novel processes for architectural applications of FRP.

In English

Idea & Organization:
Simon Blatt, InterMediation / Mathematics Department, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
Katarzyna Grebosz-Haring, InterMediation /Inter-University Organization Science & Arts, Mozarteum University Salzburg

Organized by focus area (Inter)Mediation. Music – Mediation – Context / Inter-University Organization Science & Arts, Paris Lodron University Salzburg/Mozarteum University Salzburg in cooperation with the department Artificial Intelligence and Human Interfaces, Paris Lodron University Salzburg in series Music & Mathematics.

The series focusses on interdisciplinary networks and perspectives between the disciplines. It is organised and designed in collaboration with international experts from the fields of mathematics, statistics, computer science, composition and music research and provides insights into current research and developments in the border areas between the scientific disciplines.