Week 2: Mathematics and Art

It is not surprising how important mathematics is to the studies of art and science.  One could say that mathematics is essential to the study of any discipline in one way or another.

http://media.boreme.com/post_media/2012/galileo-mathematics-alphabet-of-universe.jpg

What is truly interesting is how mathematics has influenced and improved art throughout the years, and even how art has motivated an improvement in mathematics.

A great example of math’s influence on art and vice versa is the formulation of perspective art.  Before the 14^th century, artists such as Giotto were able to mimic the effects of perspective, but they viewed perspective as a quality as opposed to a measurable phenomena.

http://www.webexhibits.org/sciartperspective/perspective1.html

Giotto’s “Jesus Before Caif” uses perspective to create depth of field.

Later, the mathematics of perspective was examined by those such as Brunellesci, in an attempt to understand nature and apply it to art.

http://www.math.utah.edu/~treiberg/Perspect/Perspect.htm

Through examining the progression of events, we notice that artists influenced mathematicians to develop a theory of perspective, which in turn improved art.  This mutual influence has driven improvements in mathematics and art for hundreds of years.

Another example of the mutual influence between math and art is origami.  Although Japanese origami has been a recreational activity since the 1600s (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/between-the-folds/history.html ), the relationship between origami and math is still developing.  For example, Dr. Robert Lang regularly lectures on the mathematics of origami, and uses the mathematics to create superb origami of his own.

http://www.langorigami.com/science/math/math.php

Dr. Lang’s Aedes aegypti origami creation.

This idea of mutual influences ties into last week’s discussion of the third culture.  If mathematicians maintain an open dialogue with artists, the trend of mutual influence discussed above can continue to flourish.

http://www.bridgesmathart.org/

-Arthur Wolf

Works Cited

"The Geometry of Perspective Drawing on the Computer." Mathematics of Perspective Drawing. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

"History of Origami." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

"Perspective: The Role of Perspective in Shaping the Renaissance." Science and Art of Perspective. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.