Math, art, and science are three distinct branches, but they can impact and inspire one another. In fact, all three branches strive to understand and explore the natural world, and describe it in multiple dimensions (Henderson). Specifically, mathematics is the study of relationships of numbers, proofs, and symbols; it is a way of arranging numbers into a system (uconlineprogram). This form of organization is interpreted by our brains as orderly and likable, which is why mathematics has had a profound influence on art. Realistic art has always been fascinating to me because of how tangible it seems. One way that realistic art can be depicted is through one-point perspective. Not only is there a specific geometric method for drawing in one-point perspective, there is also a specific formula for optimal viewing of one-point perspective pieces (Frantz).
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| Perspective technique |
Throughout the course of time,
techniques have evolved and the relationship between math and art have shifted.
In the 20th century, artists became interested in the idea of the fourth
dimension of space, leading to the disappearance of one-point perspective and
rise of surrealism (Henderson). On the other end, abstract art’s deceiving
simplicity also has mathematical basis. There are times when I have viewed abstract
artwork, and believe that it could have been made by randomly throwing
splotches of paint at a canvas. Upon closer inspection, abstract art is based
on fractals, as seen through Jackson Pollock’s works (Ouellette).
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| Pollock's Ocean Greyness is made of fractals |
I am particularly drawn to the use of pure numbers in art because
art and pure numbers seem to be located on opposite spectrums. The golden ratio
is the basis of historical and modern architecture and many pieces of artwork,
including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Le Corbusier’s buildings; it even
explains how we innately categorize the ideal face (Ruska). In particular, pi
is interesting to me because it is a never-ending, irrational number that is
significant in the field of mathematics. Martin Krzywinski is an artist that
exemplifies the use of math in his artwork; he creates art based on
systematically color coding each digit of pi and manipulating this system in various
ways. Although pi is a seemingly random number, Krzywinski’s work is
aesthetically pleasing and orderly. Since math is a language, when pi is
depicted in this manner, a pattern materializes leading to a creative work of
art (visavedlatinv).
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| Color coding each digit of pi |
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| Connecting each digit of pi to a different digit with a chord |
Sources:
“Fractals-Mandelbrot” YouTube, uploaded by DlimitR, 17 June 2006, https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ivRQDbAduoM
Frantz, Marc “Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art” 2000, Accessed 12 April 2018.
“Golden Ratio- The Perfect Face & Change the Sex of People” YouTube, uploaded by Jimmy Ruska, 23 July 2007, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3o9drC1mQ
Henderson, Linda. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo, Vol. 17, No. 3. (1984), pp. 205-210, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1575193. Accessed 15 April 2018.
Krzywinski, Martin https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/14/10-stunning-images-show-the-beauty-hidden-in-pi/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.1342d1ca25a8 Accessed 11 April 2018.
Ouellette, Jennifer. “Pollock’s Fractals.” Discover, 1 November 2001, http://discovermagazine.com/2001/nov/featpollock. Accessed 15 April 2018.
Pollock, Jackson. "Ocean Greyness" https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/348. Accessed 15 April 2018.
“Pi movie trailer” YouTube, uploaded by visavedlatinv, 30 July 2006, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQ1sZSCz47w
“Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov” YouTube, uploaded by uconlineprogram, 9 April 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Perspective.html Accessed 11 April 2018.
Hi Michelle, your insight about how abstract art also utilizes mathematics captivated my attention. In addition to your example of abstract art being based on fractals, I was thinking of the many illusion paintings that manipulate humans' perception of depth to make the paintings visually stimulating to their viewers. Interestingly, I find that after learning week 2 materials about math and art, I have grown a deeper appreciation for the arts. Like in Professor Vesna's lecture where she highlighted how math expands the art, the awareness of the use of mathematics in art helps me interpret artwork at a deeper level than ever before.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on your appreciation of math in art. I think it's amazing how many numbers can be seen in famous pieces of art, many of which you talked about. I particularly like the golden ratio as did many artists and architects of the past did as well. It just seems so aesthetically pleasing to me whether it may be in art or buildings. The number PI also interested me. I took a look at the art of Krzywinski that you had in your blog and it really was beautiful. Numbers truly are an amazing tool to use
ReplyDeleteI like the point that you made about how the orderly nature of math is what makes it so pleasing and a large part of its influence on art. It's interesting how this orderliness could be seen as conflicting to the freedom of art, but instead there is actually beauty as well as versatility to be found among the patterns. Your analysis of Krzywinski's work based on pi is a perfect example of how math and art can be blended together to create this beauty. It's amazing how a simple sequence of numbers can produce such visually complex and appealing works of art. Especially compelling is the fact that different interpretations of pi and its patterns can lead to such diverse ways to express it artistically - I think the description of math as a language is especially relevant in this regard.
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