Paru le 21/09/2017 | Relié 143 pages
Tout public
with contributions from Nalini Anatharaman, François Apéry, Alain Bénichou et al. | translation Hélène Wilkinson
The house of mathematics
How do mathematicians go about their work ? A wander down the corridors of the Institut Henri Poincaré, the French « house of mathematics », might provide a few answers. Mathematician Cédric Villani and physicist Jean-Philippe Uzan invite you to explore their universe and the people in it. Vincent Moncorgé's stunning photos guide you through the often mysterious process of how science happens.
The many aspects of mathematics, be they scientific, aesthetic, poetic, are presented from a variety of perspectives: the abundant sources of inspiration for researchers, the deep well of their creativity, the imaginary world of mathematics in literature and art, not forgetting the mathematicians themselves.
Travel to the heart of this mathematical haven, a French-style campus attracting hundreds of visiting researchers from around the world. Known for its scientific emulation and discussions, this unique institution is a key contributor to the reputation of the French mathematical school.
Cedric Villani, 2010 Fields medallist, is a professor at Université de Lyon and a member of the Académie des Sciences. A specialist in mathematical analysis, he has worked on the mathematical theory of gases and plasmas and on non-Euclidian geometry. He has been the director of IHP since 2009. He is the author of Birth of a Theorem (2012).
Jean-Philippe Uzan is a research director at CNRS and works at the Institut d'astrophysique de Paris. A specialist in cosmology and gravitation, he is also the deputy director of IHP.
Vincent Moncorgé, a freelance photographer, co-authored La Science en personnes with Yvan Schneiderlin (preface by Claudie Haigneré), published in 2007 and Orfèvres de la lumière with Marie-Pauline Gacoin (preface by Yves Coppens), published in 2010.
