Week 2: Math + Arts

April 12, 2024

   This week, we explored information regarding mathematics and its influence on Art and Science. As a fundamental subject, mathematics plays a vital role in human history. I initially considered math to be the foundation that supported the development of the arts and sciences. However, the lectures challenged my common ideas about the relationship between mathematics, art, and science. 

    In Flatland, Abbott explores the concept of dimensions through a story set in a 2D world. This work illustrates geometric concepts and shows how literature cooperates with mathematics. He mentions in the book that "To comport oneself with perfect propriety in Polygonal society, one ought to be a Polygon oneself" (Abbott, 1884, p. 16). He uses polygons to describe unequal social hierarchies. Abbott is one of many writers who use the mathematic method. The author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is called Carroll. Carrol was the pen name for mathematician Charles Dodgson. In his book, Alice scales to the different ratios a couple of times, the multiplication tables fall off base 10 (Dodgson, 1865, p. 89), and the geometry used everywhere shows how mathematics makes the world exhilarating playfulness.  

Figure 1. Example of Mathmatic in Literary - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland    

    Most people are probably easily focused on how architects apply geometry forms to the facade or landscape of the building. However, mathematics is the foundation of their design. One example is the design of the Exhibition halls. If people look up in the exhibition hall, they will know how the triangle form makes the structure successful in allowing ample space with few columns supporting it. It also supports Henderson's discussion about the impact of non-Euclidean geometry and the concept of the fourth dimension on modern art.  He writes, "Euclidean geometry, had played a vita role in the development of modern art and theory"(Henderson, 1984, p. 206).  During the Renaissance, the most famous architects, usually famous mathematicians, like Leon Battista Alberti.

 

Figure 2. MEETT Exhibition and Convention Centre, France

With the development of technology, modern arts have become increasingly popular worldwide. The arts are no longer only static. VR provides another option for the artist to create. Damiani realized that, in the past year, the MasterpieceVR community has enhanced its impact on the art world (Damiani, 2017).  More and more fantastic artworks are being created in this community. The best part is that there is almost no restriction(distance, schedule)  for the audience to visit it. They only need a headset and can visit it anytime, anywhere. The logic behind those is just "1" and "0". 

Figure 3. MasterpieceVR 

Figure 4. Binary V.S. Decimal

    In conclusion, the sparking created by the collision between mathematics and art is something I could never have imagined. The boundaries between artists and scientists will become increasingly blurred in the future. They support each other, inspire each other, and will end up together. That is, in part, the arts leading the development of mathematics and science. 

References

Abbott, Edwin A. "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions," 1884, 
    www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.
Henderson, Linda D. "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion," 1984, 
    links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0024-094X%281984%2917%3A3%3C205%3ATFDANG%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1. Accessed 12 Apr.  2024. 
Dodgson, Charles. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", 1865,
    www.amazon.com/Alices-Wonderland-Journey-through-Carrolls/dp/193799497X. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.
Perry, Francesca. "OMA completes large-scale exhibition centre in Toulouse," 2020,
    https://www.iconeye.com/architecture/oma-meett-exhibition-convention-centre-toulouse. Accessd 12 Apr. 2024. 
Damiani, Jesse. "MasterpieceVR Lets Four People Paint and Sculpt Together in VR," 2017,
    https://vrscout.com/news/masterpiecevr-4-people-paint-sculpt-vr/. Accessd 12 Apr. 2024.