Sunday, April 12, 2015

Unit 2 Math and Art

I have never been a huge fan of math, but after reading the articles this week, I really appreciated the significance that it has on the world of art. The readings this week showed how relevant math is to the worlds of art and science. More specifically the examples given in the Henderson article demonstrate how mathematics can be applied to concepts in art and vice versa. It is said very eloquently in this article and I couldn't agree with it more, "We are not in the least surprised however, to find physicists and mathematicians working simultaneously on a metaphor for space in which paradoxical 3-Dimensional experiences are resolved only in a 4-Dimensional space. Our reading history has shown us that in the development of new metaphors for space, artists, physicists a d mathematicians are usually instep" (Henderson, 209). While this concept is complex, it makes it easier to understand how relevant math, science and art really are. 



For example, a piece of art that I have personally witnessed embodies all three elements of art, science and mathematics. The Sundial Bridge in Redding, California is a large life-sized bridge that tells the time in a sun-dial fashion but on a much larger scale. Arguably, the bridge ties in both of the articles that we read this week. From the Henderson article, the bridge takes something normally small and intricate to a much larger scale, it goes above and beyond the expectations of what a normal sun dial would look like. This can be related to the idea of the 4th dimension, a place where limits do not exist and "offer the possibility of a variety of artistic interpretations, always signifying a higher dimension of space" (Henderson, p.206). This bridge also contradicts the idea of the Flatland because it brings the sun dial to 3 dimensional life, a concept that is not attainable in the world of "Flatland." This bridge sized sundial is the perfect blend of science, math and art because it must be mathematically accurate in order to stand, scientifically accurate in order to tell the correct time in accordance to the sun and finally, it is a wonderful work of art that is a product of both science and math. 



Sources

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

Abbott, Edwin Abbott. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1963. Print.

Images: http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/Art/art1.html
http://www.redding-real-estate.com/LargePhotoPages/Redding-Sundial-Bridge.html
https://www.timecenter.com/articles/when-time-began-the-history-and-science-of-sundials/



3 comments:

  1. Hello Erica. Your post was pretty interesting, especially the example of sundial bridge that you mentioned. The integration that you connect this structure to a fourth dimension and our reading of flatland is very good as well. ;)

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  2. Hello Erica,

    I also found this post very interesting. I really like how you provide us with a progression of your appreciation for mathematics over the course of your blog. I feel that your integration of the sundial bridge was also a perfect example of how math and art actually interrelate with one another. Similar to bridges, I find that sky scrapers embody the same interrelationship of mathematics and art the enhance the public's interest and creates a safe structure for society to work in.

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  3. Hi Erica, I really like the connections you made here between how mathematics helps contribute to the world of art. When you mention the Sundial Bridge, you explored how its larger than life size exemplifies the artistic style of exaggeration, and this take is very accurate as it ties together the necessary proportions and mathematical equations necessary to build such a large structure in a structurally sound manner. I really like your writing here and also find it really cool that the dial tells the correct time!

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