Week 2

Math+Art

Wait, what? There is a connection between math and art?! Just like how I reacted, many people don't realize the relation between these two ideas. Believe it or not, through mathematics, art such as painting and sculptures can be perceived.

In the lecture video, I learned that the Babylonian mathematics would indicate a space between the sexagesimal numerals for the lack of a positional value. Also, the idea about perspective came from the East and derived from al-Hytham, a Muslim scholar. During the Renaissance, artists used grids to accurately portray scenes on a flat surface. Linear perspective and projective geometry are examples of how art and mathematics evolved simultaneously.

Vanishing point: the point of the horizon at which receding lines of the perspective converge 

Brunelleschi was credited with the first correct formulation of linear perspective. He made the discovery of a single vanishing point. He correctly computed the relation of length of an object and length of the picture depending on its distance behind a plane of a canvas.

Leonardo da Vinci developed mathematical formulas to compute the relationship between distance and the eye to the object. People perceived the "Vitruvian Man" as a simple drawing but the image portrays the perfect example of Leonardo’s interest in proportion. The drawing “proportions of a man’s body first standing inscribed in a square and then with feet and arms outspread inscribed in a circle provides an excellent early example of the way in which his studies of proportion fuse artistic and scientific objectives" (The Vitruvian Man).

Lastly, from reading, “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art, Linda Dalrymple Henderson explains two concepts of space beyond immediate perception. The curved space of non-Euclidean geometry and fourth dimension of space, were crucial to the development of modern art. The artist, Duchamp was influenced by Poincare. 

Fold the models, then teach them to others. If you can learn this form of communication, you will be blessed with a satisfaction that no other art form can give.

Origami is a great interplay of math and art. The folded model is both an art and geometric figure. "When you fold the traditional waterbomb base, you have created the crease pattern with eight congruent right triangles" (Paper Folding). 

 The juxtaposition of math and art is like a married couple. The husband and wife may have different views/ideas, but one thing they share is their love for one another. Math and art come together to create the beauty in our society. 

Sources:

Earle, James. "Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man of Math." Ted Ed. Youtube, 9 April 2016. Web. N.P.

<http://ed.ted.com/lessons/da-vinci-s-vitruvian-man-of-math-james-earle#review>

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo. 17.3 (1984): 205-210. Print.

"Leonardo's Vitruvian Man." The Vitruvian Man. Web. 9 Apr. 2016.

 "Origami & Math." Origami & Math. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2016. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>