Week 2: Math + Art

Having learned sketching when I was a kid, it is not the first time that I realize mathematics and art are closely related. However, this week’s lesson has offered more historical background and more various aspects of how math influences art.

One application of math to sketching that I know is using vanishing points to determine the outlines of geometric objects. Marc Frantz’s writing on vanishing points reveal the rigorous mathematical calculations underlying presenting three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane.

                   

A painting using vanishing points

Another insight on geometry in artworks is from the lecture this week. Leonardo da Vinci proposed two perspectives in paintings and drawings: natural and artificial perspectives. While a natural perspective is how an observer perceives geometric objects through eyes, an artificial perspective emphasizes how three-dimensional scenes can be replicated on a flat surface. Therefore, it is essential to not only construct geometrically correct object on canvas, but also consider how optics may play a part in influencing people’s perception of paintings. Optics may limit what color, surfaces, and structures human eyes can perceive, and the dimensionality of the space we live in can be a similar restriction. The idea of how dimensionality can influence perceptions of shapes and objects clearly inspired the novel Flatland.

Looking at the influence of mathematics on art more specifically, Mondrian’s work Broadway Boogie Woogie serves as a great example. In this painting, the golden ratio demonstrates itself in terms of how the lines are organized. In addition, tempo of the notes of jazz music depicted in this painting can be signified by fractions and the spacing between notes, colorful squares in this picture, can be calculated mathematically and positioned accordingly.



Broadway Boogie Woogie by Piet Mondrian

Mondrian used mathematics to position elements in paintings and from his practice, I can see how other artists can employ math to position architecture, like the Parthenon. Musicians may also use calculations to create new rhythms and beats.



The Parthenon

Therefore, based on this week’s reading and lecture, I think the juxtaposition of math, science, and art is a result of them inspiring each other. Or maybe even they are just one thing that has been arbitrarily divided by us.





Works Cited

“Flatland.” Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM>.

Frantz, Marc. Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art. N.p.: n.p., 2000. PDF. <http://www.cs.ucf.edu/courses/cap6938-02/refs/VanishingPoints.pdf>.

Masolino’s ‘St. Peter Healing a Cripple and the Raising of Tabitha’ (1425). N.d. The Rise of Renaissance Perspective. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <http://www.webexhibits.org/sciartperspective/raphaelperspective1.html>.

Mondrian, Piet. Broadway Boogie Woogie. 1942. Museum of Modern Art. File:Piet Mondrian, 1942 - Broadway Boogie Woogie.jpg. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piet_Mondrian,_1942_-_Broadway_Boogie_Woogie.jpg>.

The Parthenon – Finding the Golden Section everywhere. N.d. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOLDEN RATIO IN CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE. Web. 13 Apr. 2017. <http://www.widewalls.ch/golden-ratio-in-contemporary-architecture/>.


Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Youtube, Uploaded by uconlineprogram, 9 Apr. 2012, https://youtu.be/mMmq5B1LKDg.

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 18, 2017 at 7:54 PM

    I agree with the idea that math, science and art inspired each other. Drawn from the example of golden ration, it allows the artists and architects to design more aesthetically pleasing. The concept of natural and artificial perspectives allows the art pieces to reflect the world in a more realistic (or unrealistic, if that what they intended ) way. This can be consider a significant advancement in the history of the art. Therefore, for me, I consider math and art are somewhat identical - One is just another representation of the other.

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