Week 2

I found the infusion of math in art to be initially obvious, but fascinating. Having a previous interest in  math, I always kind of assumed that you can break down anything into numeric or geometric terms. Many things have shapes and quantities. Professor Vesna validated this by saying that artists are "using mathematics whether you like it or not" in everything they create.

Vesna introduced the idea of linear perspective during lecture as projecting 3D images on 2D surfaces. This is a universal mathematical concept in art that my middle school math teacher taught me when showing me  how to extend lines diagonally to draw a box on graph paper. People like M.C. Escher used simple polyhedrons like cubes as the basis for central structures of his paintings.

A box drawn on graph paper using linear perspective.

The Renaissance artist Robert Campin extended this concept and used precise detail to depict 3D sculptures using oil paints. He brought to life church architecture and sculpture by using perspective in his paintings. 

The Nuptials of the Virgin - St. James the Great and St. Clare by Robert Campin (oil painting, NOT sculpture)

Marc Frantz discussed the geometric strategy of utilizng vanishing points to add to the perspectives  of paintings. A vanishing point could be anywhere on a piece of art, but it is the "intersection of this special line of sight with the picture plane" (Frantz).

Vanishing point visual of how art pieces can be designed around a singular geometric focus.

John Maeda's "Space Diagrams" demonstrate vanishing points and linear perspective blended with his creative shading patterns.

A Maeda Space Diagram

I find that when I look at an old painting or even the design of a football, the marriage of art and mathematics is evident. I hope the disciplines can be more explicitly mixed instead of the subtle yet evident interconnections they have. The ideas of vanishing points and linear perspectives elucidated my personal experiences drawing 3D shapes in my middle school math classes.

References:

"The Mathematical Art of M.C. Escher." Platonic Realms, 2019.

http://platonicrealms.com/minitexts/Mathematical-Art-Of-M-C-Escher/. Web.

Frantz, Marc. "Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art," University of Central Florida, http://www.cs.ucf.edu/courses/cap6938-02/refs/VanishingPoints.pdf. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov." YouTube, uploaded by UC Online, 9 April 2012.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Math Intro."YouTube, uploaded by UC Online, 26 March 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHiL9iskUWM. Web.

Maeda, John. "Space Diagrams." MaedaStudio, 1995. https://maedastudio.com/space-diagrams-1995/. Web.