Week 2 | Math and Art | Asha Agarwal


What I found so interesting this week was the idea that artists feel pushed away from science by math and scientists feel pushed away from art by their draw to math. In reality, math is the big commonality between these two worlds. As we learned in lecture, a unique perspective is that all scientists and artists, regardless of their like or dislike of math, use math intrinsically in their use of computers. In addition, artists use math constantly when it comes to perception, depth, or proportions. Equations are not just for science. As discussed in Flatland, perception and point of view change scenes drastically depending on the viewer, a tool capitalized on by artists (Abbott). Shown below, an artist’s knowledge of depth perception and the related equations allows for a 2D image to appear much more expansive.


Surrence, Matthew. “Depth Perception, What Exactly Is It?” The Zenni Blog, 25 June 2020, https://www.zennioptical.com/blog/depth-perception-exactly/.



In addition, the inverse is true and there is an innate artistry in math as well. Math is intrinsically beautiful, making it art. In this way, the two are joined. As seen in the picture below, linear equations allow for the creation of something beautiful and unique.




Krieg, Paula Beardell. “Linear Equations and Art.” Playful Bookbinding and Paper Works, 1 July 2015, https://bookzoompa.wordpress.com/tag/linear-equations-and-art/.


Finally, math and art could not be discussed without the phenomenon of the fibonacci sequence and the mathematical nature of plants of extreme beauty. The mathematical perfection displayed by plants, like the aloe polyphylla shown below, adds to their beauty and appreciation as objects of art found in nature.




“What Is the Math beyond Aloe Polyphylla?” Mathematics Stack Exchange, 1 Jan. 1966, https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/2704620/what-is-the-math-beyond-aloe-polyphylla.


Through the works of a variety of artists, such as Selikoff, Csuri, and Sheridan, the idea that artists use math too is emphasized for the public. Maeda even discusses the phenomenon of code and the new era of digital art in his book to raise awareness of this important but highly concealed connection between art and math. Mathematical properties are highlighted, whether made known to observers or not, and are used to add to the art, not take away from it. Art is beautiful, and math is too.



References:

Abbott, Edwin Abobtt. “A Romance of Many Dimensions.” Flatland, 1884, http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM.

Csuri, Charles. Charles Csuri, https://www.charlescsuri.com/.

Maeda, John. MAEDASTUDIO, 29 Oct. 2021, https://maedastudio.com/.

Selikoff, Nathan. “Fine Artist Playing with Interactivity, Math, Code.” Nathan Selikoff, 18 Jan. 2020, https://nathanselikoff.com/.

Sheridan, Sonia L. “Generative Systems.” Sonia Landy Sheridan, http://www.sonart.org/book/chapter01/chapter.htm.

Comments

  1. sueyan_hungDESMA9April 10, 2022 at 11:24 PM

    I just want to start off by saying this blog post is amazing, I love how in-depth you went regarding the idea that artists feel pushed away from science by math and scientists feel pushed away from art by their drawing to math. I was also impressed that you pointed out Maeda even discussed the phenomenon of code and the new era of digital art in his book to raise awareness of this important but highly concealed connection between art and math.

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