Unit 2: Math & Art

Picture 1

In the material this week, I learned that the  "connection of art and science is through mathematics and art" (Vesna). Artists use math to place their creative focus on the precision of perspective, angles, lines, speaking points and surfaces. Without math, exactness is impossible. The fusion between art and math is seen in the pyramids of Egypt, "The Vitruvian Man" and "The Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. The following video link is a Ted-Ed talk on the "Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man of Math" which explains mathematical concepts used to draw human proportions (Earle).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMsaFP3kgqQ

Picture 2

"The golden ratio" used in Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Mona Lisa"  is deemed as "the ultimate connection between math and art" (Vesna). This means that "the shorter part is to the longer part, as the longer part is to the shorter part" (Vesna). It is the equal proportions of ratio that make it golden. In "The Mona Lisa", there are "specific mathematic relationships" seen in the lines of the painting (Vesna). The definition of "the golden ratio" is executed by the position of the head, shoulders and body (Vesna). This painting helps me understand the influence of mathematics in art and science. I have seen "The Mona Lisa" in person and I never would have thought that geometrical tools were used to paint it. After understanding the perspective that da Vinci used, I appreciate the painting more as it proves that "drawing", "proportion" and "colouring" go hand in hand with mathematical formulas (Vesna).

Picture 3

 I always assumed that artists disregard math because it was too confining to their imagination and free-hand work. I learned that I am wrong; math does not inhibit creativity. It enhances it! M.C. Escher proved this in his popular artwork that was based on mathematical principles; he used the "geometry of space" and the "logic of space" to tap into his creativity (Platonic Realms). Similarly, Nathan Selikoff created interactive geometric computer designs as a creative outlet to express his emotions and feelings while his wife was battling breast cancer (Selikoff). Sonia Lady Sheridan spent years researching with "scientists, industry, artists and graduate students" at the Art Institute in Chicago to create pieces that represented "art, science and technology as intertwining systems of thought" (Sheridan).

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 Thus, the juxtaposition of mathematics, art and science only makes the detail in an artist's work seem more effortless and creative than if they omitted mathematics.

Picture 5

Citations

Picture 1: http://drawing.wonderhowto.com/how-to/draw-isometric-pyramid-inside-cube-385891/

Picture 2: https://quantumshifting.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/what-is-the-matrix-of-a-leader/

Picture 3: http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/Golden%20Ratio/golden.html

Picture 4: http://www.sonart.org/book/chapter06/chapter.htm

Picture 5: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/02/14/2516568/exhibit-offers-a-new-way-of-looking.html

"Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man of Math - James Earle." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMsaFP3kgqQ>.

"Nathan Selikoff | Fine Artist Playing with Interactivity, Math, Code." Nathan Selikoff. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://nathanselikoff.com/>.

"Sonia Landy Sheridan: Generative Systems." Sonia Landy Sheridan. Arthink.com, 2003. Web. <http://www.sonart.org/book/chapter02/chapter.htm>.

"The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher. N.p., 1997. Web. <http://platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg>.