The dodecahedron is comprised of twelve pentagons meeting at identical angles. Plato related the dodecahedron with ether or the cosmos, considering its form to be related to the entire structure of the universe. The zodiac contained twelve signs or constellations, which Plato corresponded to the twelve pentagonal faces of the dodecahedron. The pentagon itself is derived from golden ratio geometry, which is also important in phyllotaxis, or the geometry of leaf arrangement on plant stems.

The dodecahedron here is installed in proximity to granite boulders, moved into their present position by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, a material manifestation of the concept of cosmos through geologic time.

Photo by Gina Siepel