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Mathematical Sculptures Made Out Of Office Supplies (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Sculptures Made Out Of Office Supplies
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"I think about math constantly and I see and look for math in everything around me." Zachary Abel is a second year Ph.D student in the MIT Mathematics department, but he also creates sculptures out of everyday objects.

"By transforming often-overlooked household items into elaborate, mathematical sculptures, I hope to share this sense of excitement, curiosity, and beauty that a mathematical outlook has instilled in me."

Zachary Abel, "Impenetraball", 2011. The "Impenetraball" protects its hollow interior with a dense, chainmail-like mesh made from 132 binder clips (and pliers).

With his intricate formations of otherwise mundane objects, Abel hopes to expose the "hidden geometric beauty" in our everyday lives. It may seem as if Abel's creations would be easy to replicate while blankly staring at your computer screen at work, but rest assured, Abel's sculptures are no easy task.

Zachary Abel, "Paperclip Snub Dodecahedron", 2011. A detailed view of one vertex.

Abel created a dodecahedron, a three dimensional shape with 12 flat sides out of mere paperclips. One of his more intriguing pieces, "Stressful," is a formation of binder clips that are woven together to remain open. Abel also posts mathematical writings and talks on his website. View his incredible sculptures in the slideshow below.

Mathematical Office-Supply Sculptures By Zachary Abel
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Zachary Abel, "Intensegrity", 7cm diameter, 2010.A swarm of colorful hair ties twists and dances through a framework of lollipopsticks; the structure is held in a delicate balance by their mutualtug-of-war. (credit:Zachary Abel)
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Zachary Abel, "Paperclip Snub Dodecahedron", 2011.A snub dodecahedron made from 120 paperclips. (credit:Zachary Abel)
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Zachary Abel, "Stressful", 2011.The handles of six binder clips weave together in a way that holds all clips open. (credit:Zachary Abel)
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Zachary Abel, "Triskewers", 2010.A subset of an infinite, repeating arrangement of interwoven cylinders, made from 144 wooden skewers and held together with glue. (credit:Zachary Abel)
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Zachary Abel, "Poker Faces", 2009.Thirty standard playing cards are carefully slit and assembled into a configuration of six intersecting pentagonal prisms. (credit:Zachary Abel)
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Zachary Abel, "Polypolypolyhedron", 2009.An orderly mess of 60 woven plastic rods. (credit:Zachary Abel)

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