Math is often regarded as the opposite of art—one discipline
dealing with strict number manipulation, the other driven solely by creativity.
One of two misconceptions here is that pure mathematics also thrives on
creativity. In The New Yorker article on solving pure mathematical problems,
Alec Wilkinson aptly describes pure math as “as close to art and philosophy as
it is to engineering.” The second misconception is that mathematics, pure and
applied, is often deeply intertwined with art.
"Pi Landscape" by Daniel Tammet, a savant with number color synesthsia
This week’s lecture video served to emphasize the geometric
and mathematical influences and inevitable presence in early art. One early
artistic problem was that of perspective, or how to create a three dimensional
image on a two dimensional plane. Giotto was the first to discover that the
impression of angles could be created with line inclinations, but Brunelleschi
was credited with the formulation of linear perspective using a vanishing
point.
Vanishing Point, a point where all parallel lines converge
Another piece of evidence for math’s critical role in art is
the presence of math in nature. The Golden Ratio, a 1:1.618 fractal, can often
be used to characterize flora in nature. Due to it’s slow converging ratio, is
the most efficient ratio at which new leaves should grow. This number appears
not only in nature, but also in a number of famous art works, such as Leonardo
da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The Golden Ratio’s aesthetic significance stems from its intrinsically
pleasing nature. This quality combined with its omnipresence serves to
illustrate the inevitable role of mathematics in art.
Mona Lisa, with Golden Ratio proportions drawn out
Nathan Selikoff is an artist who uses mathematics and code
to create interactive art. When asked about the significance of his work, he
prefaces “It’s not about the math… I feel like my work is successful when
people see beauty in it, when they have fun with it, and when they are
intrigued with it.” Artists and scientists use mathematics to add a different
dimension of value to their work, a value that doesn’t necessarily have to
involve math at all. Mathematics is valuable to art because it creates
perspective, geometrically and emotionally. Although the two may seem distinct
today, they have been and always will be interrelated.
"Beautiful Chaos" by Nathan Selikoff, an interactive art piece
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