Week 2: Art and Math

http://www.abcgallery.com

/G/giotto/giotto.html

http://www.daviddarling.info/ency

clopedia/F/fourth_dimension.html 

After being perplexed and concerned by the “two cultures” topic last week, Professor Vesna’s proposition that math (through computers) is a common denominator in both art and science provides hope that the two cultures aren’t THAT different and will become less separate over time. However, until this week the role of mathematics in art was not immediately obvious to me. Henderson’s explanation of the role of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity in the creation of the 4^th dimension used in modern art, the role of math for artists like Giotto and Al Haytahm whom created three dimensional art, and the concept of the golden ratio were extremely revealing in highlighting the dual role of math in science and art.

After reading about the above examples of how math has influenced art, I will now examine how math continues to influence various art forms in several contemporary examples that we encounter on a daily basis. Having played the clarinet for 8 years, I now recognize math plays an essential role in the beautiful art of music. The time signature, syncopated rhythms, and various count values of notes require a complex math/counting system and this plays an essential role in reading music.

Have you seen an animated Pixar or Disney movie lately? If so, you have witnessed an extraordinary art form whose foundation is essentially mathematics (through the use of computers). Countless mathematical formulas go into creating the motion and color to create the lively animation that captivates our attention when in a theatre.

http://www.experiencefilm.com/if-
michael-bay-had-directed-up/

http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/

cars-movie-hd-wallpapers.html

Lastly, I will examine the golden ratio. Not only does this ratio “Phi” appear in structures like the Parthenon or paintings like the Mona Lisa, you can find this ratio in many common logos such as Toyota, the CN Tower in Toronto, and high fashion clothing lines. More surprisingly, this ratio is also found in our DNA and certain molecular arrangements, showing its mathematical presence in both art and science.

http://www.goldennumber.net/logo-design/

http://www.funkidslive.com/events
/its-dnas-60th-birthday/

Altogether, it is apparent how influential math is in both art and science, and I propose that with more awareness of this we can bridge the gap between these two cultures.

References:  

American Mathematical Society. "Math goes to the movies." ScienceDaily. 14 April 2010. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100414071221.htm>.

Glydon, Natasha. "Music, Math, and Patterns - Math Central." Music, Math, and Patterns - Math Central. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/Music/music1.html>.

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo. 17.3 (1984): 205-210. Print.

Meisner, Gary. "Golden Ratio Overview." Golden Number. 20 May 2014. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <http://www.goldennumber.net/golden-ratio/>.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics.” Lecture. Cole online. Web. <https://cole.uconline.edu/~UCLA-201209-12F-DESMA-9-1#l=Week-2-Assignment/id4287887>.