In today’s culture and society, math and art are often seen at two different ends of the spectrum. However, taking a closer look, mathematics is apparent in most things around us; and by harnessing the power of mathematics, new avenues of art have been able to develop and change our views about this relationship between two seemingly unrelated subjects.
To begin, math appears in the most fundamental of all things: nature. Fractals, for instance, is a geometric shape which demonstrates the relationship where similarity holds at smaller and smaller scales. Fractals are very common in nature. It turns out that these phenomena of shapes are not just random occurrences; rather, they can be represented by mathematical equations. Frost is an example of a fractal.
Math also plays a crucial role in architecture. Even before modern technology, the application of mathematics to build structures can be seen, and most of this can be seen through further examination of the Golden Ratio. Famous structures such as the Parthenon and the Great Pyramid of Giza utilize this Golden Ratio.
Math has promoted certain strides to be made in many different fields of art. Without the understanding of certain mathematic principles, the originality and creativity of art could not be what it is today. Brunelleschi’s idea of perspective and vanishing point allowed works of art to become more realistic, a term referred to as natural perspective. In Robert Lang’s TED Talks, he discusses how the art form of origami has been around for hundreds of years; yet, we have not nearly exhausted all the possibilities this art holds. Origami began creating very basic shapes, but today those basic shapes have become intricate masterpieces. Essentially, the evolution of origami was facilitated by mathematics.
In conclusion, math and art mutually help each other to grow. The separation of the two, especially in modern society, becomes more difficult. By understanding both worlds, humans have the potential to continue creating things that have never been thought of before.
Works Cited:
[Frost on a tree]. 2008. Photograph. ABC Science Web. 11 October 2013. <http://www.abc.net.au/science/photos/mathsinnature>
Hart, Vi. "Doodling in Math Class: Snakes + Graphs". Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 27 November 2010. Web. 11 October 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=heKK95DAKms>
TED. "Robert Lang: The math and magic of origami". Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube, 31 July 2008. Web. 11 October 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKcOFQCeno>
[The Great Pyramid of Giza]. 2009. Photograph. Knoji Web. 11 October 2013. <http://mathematics.knoji.com/interesting-facts-about-the-golden-ratio-in-nature-art-math-and-architecture>
Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>
Weisstein, Eric W.. "Golden Ratio." WolframMathWorld. MathWorld. Web. 11 Oct 2013. <http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html>.
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