Week 2: Art and Mathematics

Art and Mathematics

 Logical Vs Creative Thinking – A Student's Perspective

    In my mind, art and mathematics existed independently as different tools until this week’s content. Art was abstract and creative whereas mathematics was logical and static. When I went through traditional mathematics courses such as geometry and algebra I wasn’t taught about the role they play in art. Additionally, I don't always associate architecture, music, film, photography, and other expressive forms of skill with the word "art" because every art class I took centered around painting. Through Professor Vesna, Flatland, and the various artists we looked at this week I realized art and mathematics are all around me in places I don't recognize.

Math in Art (Math Is Everywhere Series): Taylor, Anne: 9780918932280: Amazon.com: Books
Math In Art 

    The intertwinement of art and mathematics can be hidden through beauty and perspective. We don’t acknowledge the golden ratio, fractals, or perspective in front of us at first glance. The angles and proportions are hard to identify when they encompass such creativity. However, after watching lectures for this week, it seems silly to think that I ignored the presence of mathematics in forms of art such as music and architecture. 


🔺Giza Pyramid Geometry: Pi, e, and Golden Ratio Encoded in the Great Pyramid of Giza

The pyramids of Egypt in our lecture caught my eye because they are major tourist attractions because of the untraditional size and shape of the manmade buildings. It was always clear to me that the people who created the pyramids were brilliant; to create such mass and intricate structures takes creativity. However, I never gave thought to the mathematics behind the building of the grand buildings. The Egyptians incorporated the Golden Ratio in the creation of the pyramids and the aesthetic appeal has remained for centuries. Incredibly, this ratio is noticed in the Egyptian pyramids, the Mona Lisa, nature, and artwork for major companies such as Pepsi in the present day. The pyramids are just one example of the timeless aesthetic created by the proportion. 

References 

Caldwell, Mathnasium. “The Golden Ratio in Everyday Life.” Mathnasium, Mathnasium, 26 Oct. 2022,

www.mathnasium.com/math-centers/westcaldwell/news/golden-ratio-everyday-life-wc#:~:text=Golden%20Ratio%20is%20one%20of,because%20of%20their%20golden%20proportion.

Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884. https://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM

“Fractals - Mandelbrot.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 June 2006, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivRQDbAduoM.

“Good Will Hunting Scene (Math Problem).” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Sept. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7b0cLn-wHU.

Vesna, Victoria. “Math Intro.” March 26, 2012. UCLA, Lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHiL9iskUWM&t=2s

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” April 9, 2012. UCLA, Lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&t=1725s

YouTube. (2013, March 4). The problem in good will hunting - numberphile. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW_LkYiuTKE

Images 

“🔺Giza Pyramid Geometry: Pi, e, and Golden Ratio Encoded in the Great Pyramid of Giza.” YouTube, YouTube, 19 Jan. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzZYptQlpC0.

Logical Vs Creative Thinking – Why Some Students Prefer Math Over Art, https://www.tutorstorm.com/logical-vs-creative-thinking/.

Taylor, Anne. Math Is Everywhere Series. Math-Art-Everywhere, https://www.amazon.com/Math-Art-Everywhere-Anne-Taylor/dp/0918932289.



Comments

  1. Rico FloresApril 12, 2024 at 7:24 PM

    Hey Katherine, I really really love your example picture of the pyramid you used for the mathematical evidence. And I am in the same boat as you whoever in the heck made those pyramids had great mathematical skills to build them and still have them standing till this day. I also feel like art is involved within more than we even know.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Slok PatelApril 14, 2024 at 11:37 PM

    Hi Katherine, I completely agree with your mindset of never really comparing math and art until this recent lecture. However now that I look into the details of art whether it be in architecture or on canvas it all revolves around math. whether it be a program that uses numbers to generate an image or the use of lines and shapes with a geometrical mindset, math is fundamental in creating good art.

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