Gabrielle Hoad

The Luminous Envelope | 2015 | Series of digital photographs

A photographic series made in response to Fresnel's Wave Surface, one of a collection of 19th century teaching aids, which rendered mathematical equations as plaster models. The original model refers to the propagation of light in an optically biaxial crystal, and represents a wavefront as a solid object. The photographs make use of polarisation to dissolve solid objects into zones of light.

Commissioned by Metron in collaboration with Oxford University Mathematical Institute. Shown as part of 'Illegitimate Objects' at Oxford University Mathematical Institute (2015). Also shown as part of 'Catalyst' (2021) at Exeter University.