WEEK 2: MATH AND ART

I came across the golden number in high school when I had to come up with a topic in mathematics to explore. Our book was exploring the common misconception that Nautilus shell is a golden spiral (a spiral that gets wider with the factor of the golden ratio).

Nautilus Shell
Golden Spiral


















Although this is an example of a misconception, there are indeed many examples of mathematical patterns in the nature. One great example would be the fractal geometry of snowflakes. So it is only natural to assume that art, which often takes inspiration from nature, would have a deep influence from mathematics. However, the progression of this influence, which was explored in this lecture, is something very interesting to learn about.

Marc Frantz lecture on vanishing points is one of the best examples of math in art. The use of “vanishing points” to accurately represent three-dimensional shapes in paintings is amazing. The video about the presence of the Fibonacci sequence in financial markets is very intriguing.

Cycle by Escher
Of the examples of artists that we have seen over the lectures and the readings, the one artist that grabbed my attention is M.C. Escher. His work with a mathematical concept called tessellations, which is the regular divisions of the plane, is simply exemplary. The only regular shapes that allow tessellations are triangle, square and hexagons and Escher simply used these shapes and distorted them into figures. The fact that he applied only simple transformations, which we learn in our lower division math classes, such as reflections, translations and rotations, to accomplish this feat, is incredible. My favorite of his artwork is the Cycle because he uses such a strange shape to achieve the tessellation.  If you look closely, you will find that in the lower part of the artwork, he uses a hexagonal tessellation and overlays it with the irregular figures.


The use of mathematics in art, as exemplified by Escher, seems to only elevate the artwork and the message it is trying to express.





References:
1. Meisner, Gary. "Is The Nautilus Shell Spiral A Golden Spiral?". Goldennumber.net. N.p., 2017. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
  2. "Fractals - Mandelbrot". YouTube. N.p., 2006. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
  3. Frantz, Marc. "Lesson 3: Vanishing Points And Looking At Art". N.p., 2000. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
  4. "Fibonacci, Fractals And Financial Markets - Socionomics.Net". YouTube. N.p., 2007. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.
  5. "The Mathematical Art Of M.C. Escher". Platonicrealms.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

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