Mathematics and art do not seem to have any connection between each other. Art is related to an expression of human beings' imagination. When we think of art, we will mostly likely think about famous paintings and sculptures. In contrast, mathematics is considered to be about numbers and calculations. However, the two disciplines are actually interconnected. Mathematical principles play an indispensable role in the aesthetic feeling that an art work can bring to its viewers.
A fictional two-dimensional world of Flatland was described in the 1884 satirical novel “Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions.” In the book, the author Edwin A. Abbott portrayed different groups of people with mathematical graphs such as lines, triangles, squares and circles. He even stated the "Law of Nature” with various shapes: "a male child shall have one more side than his father, so that each generation shall rise (as a rule) one step in the scale of development and nobility. Thus the son of a Square is a Pentagon, the son of a Pentagon, a Hexagon; and so on.” Applying math knowledge into a social satire is a bold and successful attempt, which makes it easier for readers to understand the content.
Edwin Abbott Abbott (1838-1926)
Architecture is another wonderful product of the application of math into artistic work. The famous Eiffel Tower serves a fitting example. The unique design of Eiffel Tower enables it to have the aesthetic beauty that can be enjoyed by millions of people every year. At the same time, as the tallest structure in the world until 1930, its strong foundation structure and great wind resistance largely relies on sophisticated math computations. The natural combination of art and math is also reflected in the design of theaters; A good theater not only needs to have beautiful settings but also reasonable seat arrangement as well as proper distance between the stage and the audience.
Eiffel Tower
People often unconsciously apply mathematics into their understanding of beauty. I am always fascinated by the golden ratio and the aesthetic enjoyment that it can bring to people. Linking visual perception to mathematical formula, the golden ratio is not only critical for the design of notable architectures like Parthenon temple and Egyptian pyramids, but also important in our definition for what is beautiful. Illustrated by great paintings like Mona Lisa, the golden ratio plays an essential role in the facial attractiveness of people.
Mona Lisa and Golden Ratio
This week's lecture and readings changed my original stereotype and helped me to better understand the juxtaposition of art and math in the modern social context. Math and art are equally important for artists and scientists to develop their own work. The two will continue to contribute to each other and become more and more integrated in the future.
Sources
"Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884." ibiblio - The Public's Library and Digital Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 April 2015. <http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM>
"Eiffel Tower." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower>.
"Golden Ratio- The Perfect Face & Change the Sex of People." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO3o9drC1mQ>.
"A Model's Secrets: The Perfect Face - Golden Ratio Beauty Calculator." A Model's Secrets. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 April 2015.<http://facethis.blogspot.com/2012/01/perfect-face-golden-ratio-beauty.html>
"Phi and the Golden Ratio / Golden Section in Architecture." Phi 1618 The Golden Number. 4 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.goldennumber.net/architecture/>.
"Phi and the Golden Ratio / Golden Section in Architecture." Phi 1618 The Golden Number. 4 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.goldennumber.net/architecture/>.
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