For
much of my life, I have been told that art and science are so different because
science is made up of facts and calculations, whereas art is all up to
interpretation, and thus there is nothing calculating about it.
For example,
paintings done by Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, and many other distinguished
artists do not seem to reply on mathematics or science, but rather rely on how
they perceive the world around them. However, after watching the lecture
videos, I can see that even the perspective in which these work of arts are
conceived is calculating in itself. As Professor Vesna mentions in the lecture
video, perspective is used to convey three-dimensional space on a two-dimension
canvas.
In order to do so, one must utilize vanishing points, proportions,
horizontal and orthogonal lines, and the laws of optics to achieve what is
called Linear Perspective.
As seen from Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott, the utilization and examination of dimensions is important not only in art, but also in literature as Abbott uses dimensions as a means to comment on the hierarchies of society.
In addition to art and literature, mathematics is seen
vastly used in architecture, employing geometric shapes as well as the Golden
Ratio, as mentioned by Professor Vesna, as well as computers used for the
advancement of music production. A prime example is in architecture such as the
Parthenon by sculptor Phidias. Phidias makes use of the Golden Ratio when
creating the Parthenon.
The Golden Ratio refers to the proportional relations ratio of the shorter part to the longer part as the longer part is to the whole. It is believed that this proportion is aesthetically pleasing in art. Thus, as first glance, art and math seem to come from two separate worlds, when they in fact go hand in hand through many different mediums.
Citations
Abbott, Edwin. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. 1st Ed. London: Seeley, 1884, Print.
Britton, Jill. "Golden Selection." Golden Selection in Art and Architecture. 6 May 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/goldslide/jbgoldslide.htm>.
Burk, Phil, Larry Polansky, Douglas Repetto, Mary Roberts, and Dan Rockmore. "Music and Computers." Music and Computers. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://music.columbia.edu/cmc/MusicAndComputers/>.
Obara, Samuel. "Golden Ratio in Art and Architecture." Golden Ratio in Art and Architecture. The University of Georgia. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/GoldenRatio/golden.html>.
"Museum of Science, Boston." Exploring Linear Perspective. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://legacy.mos.org/sIn/Leonardo/ExploringLinearPerspective.html>.
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| "Girl Before a Mirror" Pablo Picasso |
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| Linear Perspective |
As seen from Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott, the utilization and examination of dimensions is important not only in art, but also in literature as Abbott uses dimensions as a means to comment on the hierarchies of society.
 |
| Use of Computer and Music |
 |
| Parthenon by Phidias |
The Golden Ratio refers to the proportional relations ratio of the shorter part to the longer part as the longer part is to the whole. It is believed that this proportion is aesthetically pleasing in art. Thus, as first glance, art and math seem to come from two separate worlds, when they in fact go hand in hand through many different mediums.
Citations
Abbott, Edwin. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. 1st Ed. London: Seeley, 1884, Print.
Britton, Jill. "Golden Selection." Golden Selection in Art and Architecture. 6 May 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/goldslide/jbgoldslide.htm>.
Burk, Phil, Larry Polansky, Douglas Repetto, Mary Roberts, and Dan Rockmore. "Music and Computers." Music and Computers. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://music.columbia.edu/cmc/MusicAndComputers/>.
Obara, Samuel. "Golden Ratio in Art and Architecture." Golden Ratio in Art and Architecture. The University of Georgia. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/GoldenRatio/golden.html>.
"Museum of Science, Boston." Exploring Linear Perspective. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://legacy.mos.org/sIn/Leonardo/ExploringLinearPerspective.html>.
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ReplyDeleteI, too, have grown up thinking that art and science were completely different, and that there were no calculations or math involved in art. When I finally realized that math could be used in and incorporated into art, I was amazed and fascinated by those pieces that do. I also appreciated your mention of computers and music; I feel that we tend to overlook some of the common combinations of math, science, and art.
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