Cube and Art

Rubik’s cube is not only used to challenge our brain, but it is also combined with art.

In my opinion, the art can be categorized into two different forms.

First type, it put emphasis on the beauty of symmetry and at most time only one cube is used. With less combination and more limitation, it relatively harder and more technique or formulas are needed. (I prefer to this kind, especially to study how to make these amazing patterns.)

(this make an illusion as if  they were twisted around the corner directly.)

'I love you' show in one cube!!

https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/rubiks-cube-patterns-algorithms/twisty-puzzle-patterns/ 

The second typed called cube mosaics, it uses a lot of cube to compose an image, like paintings, faces or marks. One small cuby (a square of color) is one pixel, so hundreds or thousands of Rubik’s cube will be needed to form an exquisite image. And it is also time-consuming, just like other kind of art.  

https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/rubiks-cube-mosaics-rubikubism-image-gallery/
http://walyou.com/rubiks-cube-mosaics/

cube mosaics combined with MV

When I was writing, I found there is a team called “cube work” they made several big

works by cube.

http://www.cubeworks.ca/

Different types of puzzle-basic(1)

Skewb“skewb” is a word combined by skew and cube. Its basic shape is a cube but with completely different structure from rubik’s cube. It has four axes while rubik’s cube has six. You can twist I around its corner. (the shape of the rotated surface is hexagon.)

https://ruwix.com/twisty-puzzles/skewb-pyraminx-mod-skewb-diamond/

With less piece and axis,it’s easier and have fewer steps to solve it. The world record is 1.10 seconds held by Jonatan Kłosko.

following are skewb in different shape:

http://www.davidguo.idv.tw/cube/skewb.htm

Pyraminx it’s a twisty puzzle in the shape of cones invented by Uwe Mèffert. Like pyramid, so it’s called pyraminx. It also has four axes and can be rotated around each of its corner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyraminx

Although it has three layer, it’s as simple as skewb. The world record is 1.32 seconds.  

resource:

https://ruwix.com/twisty-puzzles/skewb-pyraminx-mod-skewb-diamond/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skewbhttps://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/regions.php

Are they 3*3*3?

https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/

Q: What do these puzzles have in common?

(A)       they don’t seen like a cube.

(B)       All of them are twisty puzzles

(C)       They make you feel dizzy. XD

A: all above are correct. But what is more important is that they are all 3*3*3!

You may think I’m kidding you. So ,let me show you what is going on.

First, study the structure of a rubik’s cube.

There are 6 cubies in the middle of each sides and we call them centers. they merely rotate around their axles, which means their place to one another do not change.(except you switch the sticker) For example, when the white one is on top and the blue one is in front of you ,the one on your left side will be red.

between each of centers we have 12 cubies called edges and the 8 cubies left are corners. Edges can be twist 180 degrees while corner are 120 degrees.
(http://rubikscube.info/concepts.php)

All of cube which can be twisted like this way are 3*3 but in different shape and can be solved like 3*3, which means you have ability to solve all of cubes above if you are able to solve Rubik’s cube

(except some special cases)

Second, learn how to know whether it is a 3*3.

By twisting the cube ,you can easily find the center other cubies rotate around. Make the center in front of you ,and then image a “#” to check if all the sliding surface can correspond to it. (like the picture I show beneath)

http://www.davidguo.idv.tw/cube/

Competition

A World Record is something every cuber dreams of having. It is the most prestigious accomplishment. And there are many different kinds of competitions.

First, who can solve the puzzle in fewest time. (most of the cubers participate in)

https://ruwix.com/the-rubiks-cube/history-of-the-world-record-evolution/

And the most common one is 3*3*3. The world record keeps on updating and now it is 4.9second held by Lucas Etter.

(regulation: After observing the cube in 15 seconds, put both hands on timer and it starts timing once hands leave and stop until both hands are on timer)

There are also competitions for other kind of cube, like n*n*n, megaminx, pyraminx, square and clock. (I’ll introduce them in other article)

Second, different way to solve the cube.

Blindfolded

Like what it called, the participants have to remember how to solve it and finish it with an eyeshade. It is a challenge to one’s memory and technique. The fastest world record is 21.05seconds held by 林恺俊 (p.s. the time of observation is also included!) 

and the record of multiple blindfolded is 41 cubes completed by Marcin Kowalczyk (it sounds so ridiculous that I can’t believe it until I saw the video.)

One-handed folded and Feet

Some cubers wants to challenge their flexibility, so they try to solve the cube one-handed or by their feet.

Finally, fewest move. I thought it is the most difficult way to play. The participants have an hour to answer the step to solve it and the one finishing it in fewest move will be the winner. 
resource:
https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/regions.php