On Friday, March 20, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts presents the first of its 2015 Salons, “Self-Similarity: Fractals, Frameworks, Broken Pasts, and Electric Sheep.” Inspired by the conversation-based learning exchanges of the Enlightenment era salon, LCVA Salons explore diverse interdisciplinary topics prompted by the artwork on view in the museum galleries.

“Self-Similarity” delves into fractals, which are widely represented in the natural world, human behaviors, and mathematics. Guests include software artist Dr. Scott Draves, who wrote the Fractal Flames code that powers Electric Sheep, currently on view at LCVA as part of its Artificial/Life exhibition, Dr. Edward L. Kinman (Professor of Geography and Earth Science/Assistant Dean for Assessment and Program Improvement for Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences, Longwood University), Dr. Leigh Lunsford (Professor of Mathematics, Longwood University), and Dr. Walter S. Witschey (Research Professor of Anthropology and Geography, Longwood University).

LCVA Salons are intended forπ a general audience. Dr. Draves will describe the development of Electric Sheep, while Dr. Lunsford will discuss the beauty of fractals from a mathematical perspective. Dr. Witschey will describe how human behavior produces fractal patterns that help archaeologists understand the past, and Dr. Kinman will discuss the temporal framework of landscape. Rachel Talent Ivers, LCVA executive director, will introduce the salon format and moderate discussion, which will be opened to all attendees following the scheduled speakers.

The Salon opens at 5 p.m. at the LCVA with light hors d’oeuvres, and the conversation begins at 5:30 p.m. A brief reception will follow.