Week 2: Math + Art

The golden ratio found in nature

When people hear the terms math and art, they usually do not think of them as intertwining concepts. Math and art seem to be on the opposite ends of the scale but as this week's lecture demonstrated, both concepts have a long history of collaboration. The best example of this would be found in nature. Many similar shapes and patterns can be seen throughout plants and the various things that nature creates. Mathematicians have computed the perfect formula for recreating the very patterns we see naturally. These equations and theorems are used by many artists to produce art of different mediums. Artists like Piet Mondrian used geometric elements to mark their artistry. I remember making a Mondrian painting in middle school, but back then I was not aware of the greater connection between art and math. Another artist, MC Escher, was inspired by the mathematical concepts of space and perspective. Though not a math scholar, Escher pushed the boundaries of perspectives and incorporated optical illusions into his work. The idea of perspective was not fully developed until the 13th century and the golden ratio had not yet been discovered, but artists were already integrating these concepts into their artwork. The golden ratio and the rectangle derived from it has always fascinated me because it is intriguing how it claims that people can have an inclination to a certain aesthetic if it fits the mold of the ratio.

Optical illusion by M.C. Escher

Robert J. Lang, a master of origami, is another example of an artist who utilizes math to create an art piece. At first glance, origami is just the practice of folding paper to create an animal or flower, but it is more complex than that. Lang states, "Fundamentally, math is the study of patterns and relationships." While he doesn't solve elaborate equations, he uses math to manipulate the shapes and figure out patterns that would lead to a form of something. The patterns and relationships that are achievable through math are an essential part of art. The main elements of geometry, perspective, space, proportion, and so on are present in various types of artworks. Conversely, math can be understood through art because of the ways it can be creative and motivated by patterns. Similar to humanities and science, math and art intersect to give us a greater understanding of the natural world and the beautification of it.

Origami is made by calculations of space and patterns 

ChristopherHelkey. "Origami Master - Robert J. Lang." YouTube, 17 July 2017. Web. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=150&v=2uogPWqEYlU

Escher, M.C. “The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher.” The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher, 1997,                                              platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/.

Livio, Mario. "The Golden Ratio and Aesthetics." Plus Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2019.

“Piet Mondrian and His Paintings.” Piet Mondrian: 120 Famous Paintings Analysis,Complete Artworks & Bio, www.piet-mondrian.org/.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2012. Web. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>