Week 2- Math and Art

Utilizing a triangle to create a
vanishing point in an art piece
Mathematics, art, and science are all creative forms intertwined into one body. After reviewing this week’s lecture and readings, I have learned that without mathematics, art and science would not exist. Math provides the basic root in which art and science stem off. As said by Csuri, “The computer language enables me to organize and structure the artistic content and meaning.”  One could not exist without the other.  How one perceives math, art, or science all depends on perspective. For example, an artist utilizes a triangle to create “vanishing points” on their piece to impress the viewer. This formula that creates a vanishing point stems from mathematicians and the way they use the shapes to solve problems. The triangle itself does not change, but the person drawing it alters the shape to fit their certain usage.  Tessalations, described by M.C. Escher, consist of many different shapes put together without overlaps to create a beautiful piece of art.  This is a key example of combining art and science as I recall designing our own tessellations during math class in middle school

Many tessellation put together to create an art piece
http://www.imagekind.com/art/stunning/
tessellation/artwork-on/fine-art-prints



Fractals utilize the concept of self-similarity— parts making up the whole. While looking at the “African Fractals,” I was drawn to the idea that a figure can be made up of many smaller figures, and create something artistic and interesting. In the picture of the spiraled leaf, art connects with nature which connects with science. The image of the leaf shows several spirals which can be perceived as an art form in nature. In relation to mathematics, the leaf transforms nature into numbers. In non-living things, there is the same distance between each revolution of the linear spiral. In living things, like the leaf, the non-linear shape provides space for the organism to grow. The mathematical nonlinear shape is crucial to the growth of the plant through science, while also providing its shape, which can be perceived as art.  This reminded me of the Fibonacci sequence, which I have previously learned in class.  This certain pattern is found within nature all the time and is used to create spirals. It is obvious that math has influx:enced a number of artists that are able to take the straightforward concepts and create unique forms of expression.


Fibonacci Sequence found in a flower in nature

Sources:
"African Fractals." African Fractals. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.
"CsuriVision » Blog Archive » TACTILE-KINESTHESIS." CsuriVision. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.
"THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE, SPIRALS AND THE GOLDEN MEAN." THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE, SPIRALS AND THE GOLDEN MEAN. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.
"The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.
Paralle. Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art (n.d.): n. pag. Http://www.cs.ucf.edu. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.

Comments

  1. Ann BrightApril 18, 2017 at 7:47 PM

    I thought it was great the way you made the connection between this week's topic and tessellations because, like you, I too remember doing them in middle school math class. But, until now, I never really thought of the math behind them that made tessellations work. I was also particularly interested in your discussion of the Fibonacci sequence and it's occurrences in nature. I am interested to know if this applies to things beyond plants and flowers and where else in nature it might happen that is not readily apparent. I think this would be important to explore because nature is often the inspiration for many art forms. Also going off of the Fibonacci sequence, I think it would be interesting to explore whether artists intentionally use this in their art or if it accidentally occurs because it is naturally pleasing to the eye.

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