the juxtaposition of art and math

Mathematics and art might seem like polar opposites, but the two fields are deeply intertwined. From the ancient Greeks to the modern-day, mathematicians and artists have collaborated to create works that reflect the beauty and complexity of the world around us. In this week's lesson, lecture and readings, we explored the insights gained by learning how mathematics has influenced art and science.

One of the key insights gained from this week's readings is the concept of higher dimensions. In "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin Abbott, the protagonist is a two-dimensional square who learns about the existence of a third dimension. Similarly, in "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion", we learn how artists like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp used the concept of the fourth dimension in their work. These readings highlight how mathematicians and artists work together to create art that challenges our understanding of the world around us.

Alex Grey is a contemporary artist who uses sacred geometry in his artwork. Sacred geometry is the study of geometric shapes and patterns that are found in religious and spiritual art. Grey's artwork reflects his interest in the mystical and spiritual. One example of his use of sacred geometry is his painting "Net of Being", which features a complex web of interconnecting lines and shapes. This painting shows how the use of geometric shapes and patterns can create a sense of harmony and balance in art. Furthermore, “Net of Being” is also the cover of the band TOOL’s 2006 studio album “10,000 days”. The band TOOL is also known for their creative integration of sacred geometry and ratios into their music. Specifically, the song “Lateralus”



In addition to sacred geometry, artists and scientists have used mathematical concepts like the golden ratio, perspective, and symmetry in their work. The golden ratio is a mathematical concept that is found in nature and has been used by artists for centuries. Al-Haytham's ideas on perspective revolutionized the field of art, allowing artists to create realistic images on a two-dimensional canvas. Piero de la Francesca and DaVinci used the concept of symmetry in their paintings to create balance and harmony.

The juxtaposition of mathematics, art, and science may seem surprising, but in reality, they have always been connected. Both fields are dedicated to understanding and exploring the world around us. Math provides artists with tools to create works that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also thought-provoking. Science provides artists with insights into the natural world that can be translated into art. Art, in turn, inspires scientists to think creatively and explore new ideas.


In conclusion, this week's lesson, lecture and readings have taught us that mathematics has had a profound influence on art and science. The use of higher dimensions, sacred geometry, the golden ratio, perspective, and symmetry are just a few examples of how mathematics and art intersect. By understanding this intersection, we can appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us in new and exciting ways.


References:

Abbott, E. A. (1884). Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.


Henderson, L. D. (1984). The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion. pp. 205-210.


Clair, Bryan. (2002) Spirits, Art, and the Fourth Dimension. https://web.archive.org/web/20120107143452/http://www.strangehorizons.com/2002/20020916/fourth_dimension.shtml 

Grey, Alex. "Alex Grey on Sacred Geometry." YouTube, uploaded by CoSM. Uploaded Jul 28, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apPuGPvXads&t=1s 

Who was Ibn al-Haytham? https://www.ibnalhaytham.com/discover/who-was-ibn-al-haytham/

Comments

  1. Shakira VelasquezApril 17, 2023 at 5:16 PM

    Hi Leeza! I really like how your introduction mentioned the juxtaposition between art and math, as well the amazing works of art that both can create! Furthermore, your addition of Alex Grey and their "scared geometry" artwork was very interesting. I had no idea that religious pieces could contain geometrical shapes that follow mathematical proportions. Your explanation regarding the "Net of Being" made understanding why it is so pleasing to the eye was very well-written, and allowed me to better understand how the golden ration can create "harmony" in art. Great job!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Intersection of Neuroscience and Art

Image
Art and neuroscience may initially seem like disparate fields, but upon closer examination, they reveal a fascinating intersection where the complexities of the human mind and creative expression converge. Pioneers such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung delved into the depths of the unconscious, unraveling its mysteries and providing a foundation for understanding the relationship between art and the human psyche. Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, viewed the unconscious as a reservoir of repressed desires and memories that shape our thoughts and actions. He believed that through the analysis of dreams and free association, one could access and gain insights into the unconscious mind. Freud stated, "Dreams are the royal road to the unconscious." This emphasis on the unconscious as a repository of hidden motivations and conflicts resonated deeply within the artistic community, inspiring artists to explore their own depths and translate their findings into their creations. Jung,
Read more

"The Art of Industry: Exploring the Intersection of Creativity and Mechanization"

Image
In the age of industrialization and mass production, art has faced new challenges and opportunities. As Walter Benjamin noted in his famous essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," the invention of the printing press and other technologies allowed for the mass reproduction of images, fundamentally changing the way art was perceived and consumed. Karel Capek - Rossum's Universal Robots One of the key inventions of the second industrial revolution was the idea of mechanization, which led to the development of robotics. The idea of the robot actually originated in the theater, as a response to the mechanization of labor. This concept was popularized in the 1920 play "RUR" by Karl Capek, which coined the term "robot." In addition to robotics, the second industrial revolution also brought about new methods of scientific management, popularized by Frederick Winslow Taylor. This approach emphasized efficiency and productivity through sta
Read more

biotech, art, and the third ear

Image
This week’s module about the intersection of biotech and art has always been a controversial topic. The art world has always been fascinated by the latest technologies, but when it comes to incorporating biotechnology into the creative process, opinions are divided. Some argue that biotech art is not art at all, while others believe it is the future of artistic expression. According to Bowker and Star, "Dividing the world into arbitrarily bounded structures has social and economic consequences since each category decision lends authority to one point of view at the expense of another" (1999). This statement implies that the division between art and biotech may be arbitrary and not useful in the long run. One of the most interesting artists related to this week's topic was Stelarc and his 3D implant. Stelarc is a performance artist who explores the limits of the human body and the relationship between humans and technology. The 3D implant is a small, artificial ear th
Read more