Laureates 2011
Michael Aschbacher – Mathematics
The Rolf Schock Prize in Mathematics 2011 is being awarded to Michael Aschbacher “for his fundamental contributions to one of the largest mathematical projects ever, the classification of finite simple groups, notably his contribution to the quasi-thin case”.
Michael Aschbacher is the Shaler Arthur Hanisch Professor of Mathematics at the California Institute of Technology. He has made fundamental contributions to group theory, especially regarding the classification of finite simple groups. He was awarded the Cole Prize by the American Mathematical Society in 1980, and became a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1990.
Andrew Manze – The Musical Arts
Andrew Manze is this year’s Rolf Schock Prize laureate in Musical Arts, “for his virtuoso and insightful interpretations as a violinist and ensemble leader; his unique, rousing style as a conductor; and his inspired ability to communicate with the audience”.
Andrew Manze was born in England and is now resident in Sweden. He is the Principal Conductor of the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden and also holds the position of Principal Guest Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and that of Associate Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
Hilary Putnam – Logic and Philosophy
The Rolf Schock Prize in Logic and Philosophy 2011 is being awarded to Hilary Putnam “for his contribution to the understanding of semantics for theoretical and ‘natural kind’ terms, and of the implications of this semantics for philosophy, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science and
metaphysics”.
Hilary Putnam was born in Chicago in 1926. Today, he is Cogan University Professor Emeritus at Harvard University and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Putnam is a past President of the American Philosophical Association, the Philosophy of Science Association and the Association for Symbolic Logic.
Marlene Dumas – The Visual Arts
Marlene Dumas is being awarded the Rolf Schock Prize in the Visual Arts for her unique ability to depict human vulnerability and greatness, in painted works that do not shrink from showing adversity. With empathy and critical discernment, she brings issues of race, ethnocentrism, gender and sexuality to the fore.
Marlene Dumas was born in South Africa and is now resident in Holland. She made her debut as an artist in 1977 and now has an extensive exhibition track record, with venues including the Tate Gallery in London, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
