Clifford H. Singer is an American Post War & Contemporary artist who was born in Great Neck, New York on May 19, 1955.[1] Clifford Singer is an American contemporary artist and distinguished professor of mathematics and arts. Noted in the art world for his work in minimalism and geometric abstraction, he has produced paintings, sculptures, prints, posters, book covers, and similar for the past 50 years. He has curated exhibitions from the O.I.A, Geometric Abstraction in 1980, Brooklyn Law School; Art & Mathematics 2000, The Cooper Union; and Printed Editions, Art & Mathematics 2022. Singer is represented in the Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Art, B.H. Friedman papers/Series 2: Correspondence, Date: 1975-1981.[2]

Clifford Singer
Born
Clifford H. Singer

(1955-05-19)May 19, 1955
Great Neck, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)academic
contemporary artist
Academic background
Alma materAlfred University (Bachelor of Arts)
State University of New York System

Singer’s work can be found in the collections of the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Lincoln Center/List Art Posters,[3] IBM, Mobil Oil Corporation, the Bridges Organization, and a variety of other publications, universities, and corporations. His pieces often integrate principles of Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, exploring the aesthetic possibilities of mathematical concepts such as curvature, space, and symmetry. Drawing from both classical and modern mathematical approaches, Singer emphasizes the abstract nature of geometrical figures in his art, presenting them as visual representations of complex scientific ideas. His work has been featured in exhibitions and academic publications, including discussions of mathematical art and visual mathematics.[4]

Clifford Singer is an artist known for incorporating geometric principles from ancient Greek geometry into his work. He explores the intersection of art and mathematics through forms like circles, ellipses, and conic sections, combining Euclidean and non-Euclidean spaces. His work reflects the dynamics of motion and natural law, blending aesthetics with precise geometric constructions.[5]

Early life and education

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He received a B.F.A. degree from Alfred University’s art program in January 1977. Later, after relocating to New York City in January 1977, Singer studied at the Empire State Program, SUNY.[6]

In the fall of 1977, he began his work toward a master's degree at Hunter Graduate School.[7] In 1988, following his exhibition at the Vasarely Center, he was enrolled at The City College, CUNY M.F.A. program, receiving an M.F.A. degree in 1990[8]

Career

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In 1977, Singer moved into a Broome Street loft in New York City's renowned Soho art district where he continued building his art and teaching careers for 28 years. By 1980, Singer received his artist certification from the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs, signed by Henry Geldzahler and then renewed later by Bess Myerson. Singer moved after 9/11 in search of a new home.[9]

To transition from teaching at The New York City Dept. of Education to teaching math at the Clark County School District relocated to Southern Nevada in 2004.[10]

Singer's life's work revolves around the theme of "Geometrical Clouds," with the earliest pieces bearing that name appearing in the 1970s. According to him, Geometry has a strong foundation that is clear, universal, and easily understandable. He uses color fields, lines that are converging, diverging, parallel, or approaching asymptotically, circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, and many other classical curves from both ancient and modern mathematics in his works. He took part in the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art's presenting - "Black Line on Yellow,".[11]

Clifford Singer is an artist known for his innovative exploration of mathematical and geometric concepts in his work. His project Bridges 2024 Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Craft, and Design, Damping Coefficient,[12] is a continuation of his earlier piece, Algebraic Relativization of Geometry (2022).[13] Through this series, Singer delves into the oscillation of circles and the dynamic nature of damping coefficients, examining how these forces flatten into two dimensions. His approach involves analyzing the system of wave curvature forces and how they behave as oscillatory systems return to equilibrium. Singer’s work offers a unique perspective on geometry and its intersection with art, presenting an intricate study of motion and decay.

Since 1974, Singer has produced precision geometric prints, adapting to evolving technologies while maintaining a consistent commitment to his craft. His work gained commercial success in the 1980s, with major corporations such as IBM, Mobil Oil, and AT&T acquiring his silkscreen portfolios. Singer’s innovative approach and business acumen have solidified his position as a leading figure in geometric art, marking over five decades of influence in the field.[14]

Clifford Singer is a contemporary American artist renowned for blending mathematics and art in his geometric-inspired creations. His works often explore complex visual representations of mathematical concepts, such as in his 1991 piece Etude In Resonance (Jupiter), a limited-edition wood sculpture that showcases his unique approach to form and structure.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Clifford Singer is an American Postwar & Contemporary artist who was born in 1955". Mutual Art.
  2. ^ "Singer is represented in the Smithsonian Institution". Smithsonian.
  3. ^ "Clifford Singer at Lincoln Center". Printed Editions.
  4. ^ "ENGINEERING A VISUAL FIELD". Smarandache Notions.
  5. ^ "THE CONCEPTUAL MECHANICS OF EXPRESSION IN NON-EUCLIDEAN FIELDS". University of New Mexico.
  6. ^ "Clifford Singer Degrees" (PDF). Wikimedia Commons.
  7. ^ "Art; SHOW AT RIDGEFIELD: SURROGATE FOR SOHO". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Clifford Singer Degrees" (PDF). Wikimedia Commons.
  9. ^ "Profile - Clifford Singer". Alfred University.
  10. ^ "Clifford Singer". RO Gallery.
  11. ^ "In new exhibition, surrealist returns to his roots — in the clouds". ION Newsroom.
  12. ^ "Bridges 2024 Exhibition of Mathematical Art, Craft, and Design". The Bridges Organization.
  13. ^ "2022 Joint Mathematics Meetings". The Bridges Organization.
  14. ^ "Clifford Singer's Geometries. Celebrating 50 Years of Printmaking. 1974 - 2024". Printed Editions.
  15. ^ "Clifford Singer United States of America 1955 Geometric abstraction". WideWalls.