Alexander’s Theorem is a fundamental result in the field of knot theory. This video is an artistic portrayal through acrobatic pole dancing to explain the statement and an algorithmic proof of the theorem.
Writer, Editor, Director and Lead Dancer : Nancy Scherich
Assistant Creative Director : Schuyler Cady , Elon class of 2024
Assistant Concept Designer : Alexa Goldberg, Elon class of 2023
Camera Operators: Tim Houlahan, Elon class of 2024 and Caleb Martin , Elon class of 2024
Duet Dancers : Alla and Niloy
LED Technician: Joel Jacobs
Original Music Score : James Whetzel “Synthesis”
Sponsored by Elon University Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Office of the Provost
Special Thanks : Nancy Scherich Sr. , Chelsea Cummings , Tracy McBane , Pole Fitness Studio, Burlington, Elon University Media Services
Behind the scenes
I filmed this video in my garage in the summer of 2023, but the planning start much earlier.
In the fall of 2022, my research student, Alexa Goldberg, and I had lots of concept design conversations. I created this quick storyboard of the concept and commissioned a song from James Whetzel.
On Jan 1, 2023, I installed a pole in my garage. Alexa and I began exploring how to dance a knot.
In March 2023, I started training at Pole Fitness Studio in Burlington NC to learn how to pole dance. For about a month, I took 1 class a week, and in April I started taking 3 classes a week. Pole dancing requires significant whole body strength and flexibility. While at the studio, I met dancers Alla and Niloy.
In June 2023, my mother, Nancy Sr., helped me prepare my garage for filming. We stapled black paper on the walls and rented camera and lighting equipment from Elon’s Media Services. While checking out the equipment, I met Caleb and Tim, who I convinced to help me film the video.
The knots in the video are LED rope lights controlled by an Arduino.
Nancy Scherich 