The Art of Infinity: Escher, Tilings, and the Shape of Space

Join me for a night of beautiful mathematics as part of the Science at Melbourne Festival 2026. This is a free-flowing, festive celebration of geometry, built around a one-hour public talk from mathematician Associate Professor Marcy Robertson, followed by refreshments, activities, puzzles, crafts, conversation and entertainment.

The lecture uses tilings as a visual way into some genuinely lovely ideas — from Escher's angels and devils to the repeating patterns beneath our feet, to aperiodic tiles and curved geometries where our usual intuition starts to break down. It asks what it really means for a pattern to repeat, how artists and mathematicians use symmetry, and how the maths behind Escher's work connects to deeper questions about whether the universe is flat, curved, finite, or infinite. No mathematical background is required — just bring your eyes, your imagination, and a willingness to think about space a bit differently.

We'll meet at 5:25pm at the ticket scanning spot at the Elisabeth Murdoch Building, head in together for the 5:30pm talk, then stick around for refreshments and activities afterward before wrapping up around 7:30pm.

This is a casual social meetup so we can head along together — it isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the University of Melbourne or its School of Mathematics and Statistics. Please book your own ticket directly through Eventbrite; an RSVP here doesn't include entry.

Who this is for

• Anyone curious about maths, art, patterns, or the shape of space — no background needed
• People who enjoy a relaxed, thoughtful evening out
• Solo attendees are very welcome; just come find me at the meeting point

Links

• Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tAy61cccn3pUxB7n7
• Tickets (book directly): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-art-of-infinity-escher-tilings-and-the-shape-of-space-tickets-1992799185007

Timeline

• 5:25pm – Meet at the ticket scanning spot at the Elisabeth Murdoch Building and say hello
• 5:30pm – Public lecture begins
• 6:30pm – Refreshments, conversation, activities and entertainment outside the lecture theatre
• 7:30pm – Meetup finishes

Tickets / cost

• You'll need to book your own ticket through Eventbrite in advance — a Meetup RSVP is not a ticket.
• Public lecture spots like this can fill up, so it's worth booking early.

Transport
The Elisabeth Murdoch Building is on Spencer Road, Parkville, on the University of Melbourne's main campus. Public transport is easiest — trams along Swanston Street and Royal Parade run close by.

Bring

• Your booked Eventbrite ticket (on your phone is fine)
• Your curiosity and imagination
• A warm layer for an August evening in Melbourne

Expect

• Difficulty: none — pitched for a general audience
• Vibe: friendly, festive and low-pressure
• Group style: an informal social group heading along together

Important notes

• Please book directly with the organiser — an RSVP here doesn't include entry.
• If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear for everyone.
• This event is run by the University of Melbourne's School of Mathematics and Statistics; we're just an independent social group going along to enjoy it together.