Mathematician Writes and Stars in AI-Era "Mathematical Play" Premiering in Daehak-ro

KIAS Presents New Play "113" Premiering July 3

World-Renowned Mathematician Jae-Gyung Choi's First Playwriting Debut

Blending AI and Media Art

A Stage Breaking Boundaries Between Mathematics, Literature, and Art

A world-renowned mathematician has written a play and will take to the stage as an actor. This unique production, which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and media art to bring mathematical imagination to life on stage, will be presented to audiences in Daehak-ro, Seoul.

The Korea Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS) announced on June 29 that it will stage the new play "113" at Theater QUAD in Daehak-ro, Seoul, from July 3 to July 12.

Poster for the play '113'. Courtesy of the Institute for Basic Science

This production is based on the first play written by Professor Jae-Gyung Choi, a globally recognized mathematician and the 8th president of KIAS. Professor Choi will also appear as an actor in the play he wrote.

The play "113" begins with the core concept of topology known as the "connected sum." It explores, through dramatic language, the mathematical idea of linking different dimensions and existences, following the journey of friends in search of the lost poem "113." The narrative weaves together the literary worlds of Hwang Jini, Yi Sang, and Hwang Sunwon, depicting a quest across time and space to recover lost hearts.

The production is directed by Professor Kim Jemin of Seoul Institute of the Arts, who is active in the AI and media-based interdisciplinary art fields. By using media convergence technology and laser art, the production visually expresses mathematical concepts and showcases new artistic possibilities in the era of AI.

Professor Choi, a world authority in the research of minimal surfaces, is expanding his activities from researcher to playwright and actor through this work, taking on a new challenge to broaden the scope of mathematics as cultural content.

Director Kim Jemin commented, "'113' is a special attempt at the intersection of art and mathematics," adding, "Audiences will experience new dimensions of sensation beyond the familiar three-dimensional everyday world."

Playwright Jae-Gyung Choi expressed his hope that "mathematics will be felt not as a tool for evaluation, but as one way to view the world."

The play "113" is produced by Riemann Walker and supported by the Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, and Seoul Institute of the Arts. The performance will be held at Theater QUAD in Daehak-ro from July 3 to July 12 and is open to audiences aged 15 and above.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.