The Rice and Chessboard Problem

Materials: Paper
Dimensions: 36"h x 60"w x 1 3/8"d
Date: 2023

This piece is titled The Rice and Chessboard Problem. It’s a reference to an ancient fable about the invention of chess.

As the story goes, the inventor of chess showed his invention to a king in India. The king was so impressed, he offered the inventor any reward in exchange. The inventor asked for one grain of rice for the first square of the chessboard, two grains for the next, four for the next, eight for the next, and so on for all 64 squares. After a week, the king’s treasurer came back and said that it would be impossible, for that sum far exceeded the amount of rice that the kingdom could produce in many lifetimes.

The toppling pile of rice grains depicted in this paper sculpture suggest abundance and nourishment… and also hint at the deceptive nature of exponential growth curves.

This installation is currently on display at Heron Arts through March 25 — email tova@heronarts.com for pricing or to schedule a private viewing.