Trimer, Monomer, Dimer 1965

Ruth Vollmer created this intriguing sculpture, “Trimer, Monomer, Dimer,” likely in the 1960s, using bronze. The individual forms look like cells dividing, or perhaps molecules bonding. Vollmer probably used a combination of techniques. Each module seems to have been formed by hammering sheet bronze into a domed shape, with each then soldered together. You can even see the evidence of the maker's hand; tiny hammer marks give the metal a lively texture. The use of bronze, a traditional material, connects this sculpture to the history of metalworking and casting. Yet, it also has a clear connection to scientific diagrams and models. Vollmer was deeply interested in the intersection of art and science, exploring mathematical concepts through sculpture. This challenges traditional notions of what art can be. “Trimer, Monomer, Dimer” invites us to think about how different fields of knowledge can inform one another, and how craft can be a means of exploring complex ideas.