In an era where the boundaries of art are continually expanding, Nelson Saiers stands out as an artist who masterfully intertwines abstract symbolism, mathematical concepts, and historical narratives to create works that challenge, provoke, and enlighten. His latest exhibition at The Canvas 3.0 gallery in New York City will run from January 9 to January 23, 2025.
Saiers’ journey is anything but conventional. A mathematical prodigy, he earned his Ph.D. in algebraic topology at 23 and later ascended the financial world as the Chief Investment Officer of Saiers Capital. Yet, in 2014, he left the lucrative hedge fund industry to dedicate himself to art—a medium he saw as an avenue to explore complex societal issues through a unique lens.
The 15 paintings in Saiers’ latest exhibition, Decoding the Infinite, represent four years of meticulous work. They delve into topics ranging from military history and Game of Thrones to the intricacies of Wall Street. Mathematics is the backbone of these pieces, often manifested as analogies, metaphors, or visual elements. Saiers doesn’t just sprinkle mathematical symbols into his work for aesthetic purposes—he uses them to engage in a deeper dialogue about representation in art. What does depicting abstract math symbols that are visually striking yet laden with meaning mean? Saiers answers this question by embedding these symbols within a tapestry of pop art, historical images, and philosophical musings.
The exhibition’s venue, The Canvas 3.0 gallery, is an ideal setting for Saiers’ innovative work. Situated in the iconic Oculus at the Westfield World Trade Center, the gallery merges physical and digital realms, emphasizing immersive experiences. Past collaborators include Rolling Stone Magazine, Meta, and Pussy Riot, aligning with Saiers’ ethos of pushing boundaries and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
Photo Courtesy: Nelson Saiers – Stack
One standout piece, Stack, inspired by Wassily Kandinsky’s groundbreaking foray into abstract art, revisits the roots of abstraction with a twist (the image is from its installation in 2022). Kandinsky’s initial inspiration came from Claude Monet’s late haystack paintings, which he admired even when their subject eluded recognition. Saiers builds on this anecdote with his installation “Stack,” featuring ascending blue plexiglass boxes filled with hay. This clever play on words transforms the abstract into the representational—a haystack—while juxtaposing it with mathematical symbols referencing stacks in algebraic geometry. By doing so, Saiers invites viewers to reconsider the interplay between abstraction, representation, and mathematical rigor.
In another piece titled “Check,” Saiers delves into the War of the Roses, a tumultuous period in English history when the monarchy changed hands six times in three decades. This artwork references Čēch cohomology, a mathematical tool whose pronunciation echoes the chess term “check,” drawing a subtle parallel between the strategic maneuvering in chess and the volatile power struggles of the time. By juxtaposing historical events with advanced mathematical theories, Saiers creates a layered narrative
Photo Courtesy: Nelson Saiers – Check
that encourages viewers to engage with history and mathematics in novel ways.
Saiers’ art often critiques systems of power, weaving mathematical references to question societal structures. This is evident in his bold public interventions, such as installing a nine-foot inflatable rat adorned with Bitcoin references outside the Federal Reserve. By merging symbols of social protest with financial critique, Saiers underscores the role of art as a tool for questioning and reforming entrenched systems.
Saiers’ works are not confined to galleries. His art has graced venues as diverse as Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and Harvard’s Leverett House. His installations, including his audacious placement of “Black Friday Special” signs inside the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, highlight his ability to blend satire with substantive critique. These interventions challenge traditional notions of where art belongs and how it interacts with the public.
As Saiers continues to bridge the worlds of art, mathematics, and history, his work remains a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking. For those who seek art that stimulates the intellect as much as it captivates the eye, Nelson Saiers’ latest exhibition is a must-see. It’s an invitation to explore the connections between seemingly disparate worlds and to find beauty in complexity.
Published by Mark V.
