Sunday, April 10, 2016

Math + Art

Math + Art


Prior to this week’s lecture, I knew that mathematics, art and science all influence each other to a small degree. I did not know how strong of an influence mathematics has on art. Mathematics is obviously incorporated within nature and often used to in the formation of art. Some aspects of art, like perception and realism, use mathematics more than others, like abstract. Even when it isn’t obvious, mathematics can still be seen influencing art and science. For example, in this flower I could identify certain repeating patterns and fractals.



I found the article in Discover Magazine on James Pollock’s work to be the most interesting. As Professor Vesna stated in lecture, math is the language of nature, nature can be represented and understood through numbers, a graphical representation of numbers always forms a pattern and there are patterns everywhere in nature. Pollock’s drip paintings can be viewed as repeated patterns. I originally thought his paintings were just paint spatters that I could do and now I realize how mathematical his art truly is. He used his art to express himself in an abstract way while still mimicking nature, a true form of artistic talent. 



Based on the knowledge I have gained from this week’s lecture and readings, I now have a new perspective on the roles of influence art, science and mathematics has on one another. Although these fields may seem completely independent when juxtaposed on a superficial level, but in reality they are all intertwined.

A data visualization of social media. Incorporating science, art and mathematics.




Works Cited
"Data Visualization." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.


Frantz, Marc. "Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art." Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art (n.d.): n. pag. 2000. Web.


"Jackson Pollock." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.


Ouellette, Jennifer. "May 2016." Discover Magazine. Kalmbach Publishing, 1 Nov. 2001. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.

"The Fibonacci Sequence As Seen in Flowers gallery by Environmental Graffiti Is a Math and History Lesson Wrapped in a Pretty Package of Flowers." • Photography Art Photo Design Flower Flowers Nature History Education Science Math Biology Mathematics Gallery Educational Botany Fibonacci Staceythinx •. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.

Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, 9 April 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>

2 comments:

  1. I like how you expanded on the idea of math being the language of nature as I also found that to be a very important concept. Previously, math has been thought of as a way to represent the laws of nature, while art has been thought of as a way to represent the abstract qualities of nature. As you have noted, mathematics and art both influence each other and I do not believe that we should feel the need to disassociate these two disciplines.

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  2. Wow! Your incorporation of Jackson Pollock truly brought a whole new light to the dynamic intersection of art and math. In reviewing this weeks material, I understood that the introduction of math within art allowed pieces new perspective. I expected this perspective to always provide more order and organization, I had not considered that math could bring with it beautiful chaos.

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