Unit 2- Math + Art

This week I learned about how math has influenced art and science. Although most artists have been removed from the mathematical world within education, artists still use math often. Professor Vesna explained in her lecture that Brunelleschi was credited with creating the first formula of linear perspective that used math to help explain the vanishing point. This is one way that math and art collide. A mathematical theorem is used to explain how the vanishing point works and is created. Many early artists relied on using mathematical principles such as this to create spatially correct art.

Another way art and math collide is in origami. Robert Lang explains the underlying mathematics in creating origami on his website, stating that one can choose from different axioms that are basic operations, like a compass, for making origami. In order to create origami that is successful, you have to be able to understand how to create certain angles and how certain shapes will align with one another. Thomas Hull explains in his article that origami is a form of geometry and that people have found different ways to algorithmatize the origami design process. This artistic form uses math as a guide and without the use of mathematics it wouldn’t be consistent. 

Artist, Piero della Francesca, was a leading mathematician and artists which  allowed him to have a combined outlook when creating art. He focused on geometry of vision which shows in his art when looking at the details in his figures. It really helped me to understand how art and math combine when looking at his diagrams and his formula that he used to create his work. The perfection and exactness in his art is possible because of the way he incorporates the study of math and geometry into his thought process. 

Juxtaposition is important in art because the way certain things are placed together can completely alter a piece of work. By using mathematical ideas an artists can make sure that their work will come out the way they plan.

References

Frantz, Mark. Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art (n.d.): n. pag. UCF.edu. Web. 11 Apr. 2015.

Hull, Thomas. "Origami Mathematics." Page. N.p., 14 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Hull, Tom. "Geometrics and Tessellations." N.p., 1999. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

Lang, Robert. "Science, Mathematics, and Technology." Science, Mathematics, and Technology. N.p., 2015. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

"Perspective in Mathematics and Art." Perspective in Mathematics and Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.