"PATTERN BECOMES ART"
Pairing patterns by man with those of nature
Molecular Sculptures by Dr. Edgar Meyer
Knitting by Pat Tittizer
November 12, 2007 – February 2, 2008
Texas A&M University Horticulture/Forest Science Building

For over 40 years, it has been my privilege to have learned the scientific and technical skills of X-ray crystallography, 36 of those years (1967-2003) on the faculty of Texas A&M University.

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Crystallography is the study of crystals, and particularly, the determination of the structures of the molecules that comprise the crystal.  That means determining the positions of individual atoms that comprise the molecule.  Inherent to the beauty of nature is the inescapable fact that one has to look and indeed find beauty on the molecular scale, some 10,000 times too small to be seen by the naked eye (hence the use of a form of light, X-rays).

This structural information is compiled and stored in a database, the Protein Data Bank (PDB), which I founded in 1971, as a summer visitor to Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Starting with a list of atomic coordinates from the PDB, I compose a view to be sculpted, sending the relevant information to my program, SCULPT, which generates the “G” code for a CNC milling machine.

The development of this project involved a basic knowledge of geometry and computer programming.  It also required a feeling for the strengths and limitations of the milling machine and indeed for the individual piece of wood to be carved.  Now, the most challenging and time consuming aspect of creating a new sculpture is the finishing, to create an impervious surface that reveals and protects the natural beauty of the wood.

More recently, I have begun to work with metals, both the bronze casting represented in this exhibit as well as with sheet metal, with the use of a plasma cutting torch.

My ambition is to create human-sized models of monumental biomolecules.  They might look like modern art, but they represent the contributions of an amazing period in human history: structural biology.

The project was sponsored in part by the US National Science Foundation in collaboration with Texas A&M University and the University of New Mexico-Taos. 

-Dr. Edgar Meyer

 

I don’t remember learning to knit.  Probably my grandmother or mother taught me.  I do remember working on bed socks when I was about 7 years old.

I picked up knitting again when I started college.  I taught myself how to make cables and knit at least three ponchos.  I also taught myself how to crochet and tat during this time.  When I was hired by IBM in fall of 1972, I took up knitting seriously.  I discovered the stitch dictionaries by Barbara Walker and made several sampler afghans.  While my children were young, I finished a number of afghans, sweaters, hats, and mittens.  I usually had some project on the needles at any particular time.

In 1986, I discovered knitting machines and soon after purchased one.  From then on, I became a serious machine knitter.  I knit sweaters and afghans for everyone.  I attended conventions in Texas, Colorado, and Georgia.  I tried out just about everything my knitting machines could make.  During this time, the Austin area knitters supported Coats for Kids by making hats to go along with them.  One year, I made 700 hats.  Another year I made over 500 hats.  I still make some hats every year.  They go to charities in Austin, Round Rock, and around the world.

In June of 1999, I took over the newsletter responsibility for the Austin Knitting Guild (which I did for 6 years).  I also started teaching classes.  Both events caused me to seriously study hand knitting and its various techniques.  I tried every new technique I discovered and taught a lot of them.

Today, I split my time between hand and machine knitting, along with my other craft interests, such as crochet, spinning, and tatting.  I machine knit items for speed and that are simple.  I hand knit socks and items for class samples, and those with intricate lace or unusual techniques.

-Pat Tittizer
pat@tittizer.us
512-259-1146
604 Breakaway Rd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613

 

Greetings from the Director……

The mission of the Benz Gallery of Floral Art is to follow Buddy Benz’ wish that his collection of floral art objects may be seen, used as educational tools, and in some cases actually worked with by students and patrons.  Over the years the objects in his collection have been displayed many, many times.  We alternate showing Buddy’s collection with interesting, informative and unique art from other artists and craftsmen.

It is always fun panning new and interesting displays.  Sometimes the challenges stretch me to the limit!  Such is the case with our current display: “Pattern Becomes Art”.  The idea came to me as a result of the inquiries from two artists that came at the same time.  It seemed an opportunity to pair two kinds of patterns–those of nature (molecular structures from Dr. Edgar Meyer) and those of a man (knitting from Pat Tittizer).  Whew, what a stretch!  What fun!  Enjoy-and learn a little something!

-Jim Johnson

 

*Some items may be for sale, if interested in the purchase of any of the knitted items, please contact, Pat Tittizer at 512.259.1146.

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.