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Week 2: Math + Art

After watching and reading this weeks material I was surprised by the information that I had learned. I had been aware that math had been included in art but I wasn't sure to what extent. It started as early as 200 B.C. with the use of zero and in the 13th century with Giotto using linear perspective to create depth. Although it wasn't an exact mathematic formula it still embraced the basic concept. More than anything geometry is used in order to create the basic formulas and changes in perspectives for paintings and drawings. The geometry can be seen in something as simple as a tile floor, the entire image can shift just depending on the observers perspective. The golden ratio can be seen in art ranging from buildings to portraits and is a key formula to artists.



One image I found particularly interesting was Piet Mondrian and his use of only lines to create a beautiful painting. He portrayed how simple mathematics and geometric shapes could be put together to form something bigger. His work showed how different perspectives can be taken on his painting and it could depict reality and nature. His work helped me understand how mathematics can be used in art with his use of geometric shapes and straight lines. He also used the golden ratio in almost all of his work which is a very important mathematical concept used in most artwork.


Artists use math to help guide the perspective of the observer and realistically depict objects. Even with shapes such as circles and squares they can either be regular or irregular. In order to be regular they need to calculate the volumes first. Math and art may seem like to polar opposite ideas but can be seen working together in almost any painting, it all depends on the way you want to look at it.
















Works Cited

Vesna, Victoria. "Mathematics Pt1." Mathematics Pt1. Online, Los Angeles. 9 Apr. 2016. Lecture.

 Palmer, Lauren. “History of the Golden Ratio in Art.” Artnet News, 2 Oct. 2015, news.artnet.com/art-world/golden-ratio-in-art-328435.

 France-Amérique. “Piet Mondrian: Realism and Abstraction.” France, 22 Nov. 2016, france-amerique.com/en/event/piet-mondrian-realism-and-abstraction/.

“Flatland.” Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884, www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM.

 “Fine Artist Playing with Interactivity, Math, Code.” Nathan Selikoff, nathanselikoff.com/.

Comments

  1. Diane ZhaoApril 13, 2019 at 2:47 PM

    I love the image that you used for Piet Mondrian and your interpretation of it! I find it fascinating how a lot of abstract art utilizes the most basic shapes that we see in everyday life, yet when put together with mathematical and artistic principles in mind, they become beautiful images that mean so much more.

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