Lehmer’s Dance

We are surrounded by algorithms and we use them on a daily basis, consciously and unconsciously. The mathematics behind algorithms can be surprisingly beautiful. Not just for mathematicians, but also for others. Lehmer’s conjecture from 1965 is such an example. When mathematician Tom Verhoeff showed me the animation of one of the results, it struck me as choreography: a minimal structure consisting of only neighbour swaps which plays with predictability and unpredictability. I use Lehmer’s conjecture to make a series of performances.

In this part of ‘Lehmer’s Dance’, I use the neighbour swaps and everyday movement to invite a physical encounter between performers and audience. As the performance unfolds, the anticipated roles of performer and audience member shift. The performance is a reciprocal experience that wants to penetrate through outer characteristics and into human contact.

‘The permutations shred prejudice. A blender, not with sharp knives, but with sensitive people that crush me in a trance rhythm.’

‘I felt doubt, was lost, surprised, restricted, comforted, an ‘imposter’, fascinated, impatient, dissolving in people’s eyes’. 

Audience responses ‘Lehmer’s Dance’

2025

May 11th

MathFest, Utrecht

2024

Sept 22nd

MathFest, Brugge (BE)

2023

May 16th	Imaginary exhibition, MACA Amsterdam
May 13th	Imaginary exhibition, MACA Amsterdam
May 12th	Imaginary exhibition, MACA Amsterdam
Feb 28th	Imaginary exhibition, TU/e Eindhoven
Feb 16th	Imaginary exhibition, TU/e Eindhoven

2022

Dec 22nd

Finale Festival Science in the City, Leiden

2021

Sept 11th	Bradwolff Projects, Amsterdam
July 4th	Belcampo Loft, Amsterdam – open studio
June 24th	Mimefabriek, Amsterdam – open studio
June 22nd	Mimefabriek, Amsterdam – open studio