Lecture: Algebraic geometry vs. impressionism paintings

Shigefumi Mori

Abstract:

Mathematics is beautiful as well as useful, though many people do not recognize it. The main topic of my talk is the beauty of algebraic geometry.

The research in mathematics is considered to be quite unique and different from those in other academic disciplines. However a mathematician's attitude toward the object of his/her interest often has something common to those in other disciplines or even an artist's. In my experience, I found certain similarities between my field of research, algebraic geometry, and impressionism paintings, some of which I would like to explain and illustrate.

In this context, I will also explain the idea of the Minimal Model Program (MMP).

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