Math + Art + Science

Mathematics influencing art and science has been a perspective with multiple dimensions. Mathematics is key to not only the study, but the foundations of both art and science. Analysts such as Henderson and Flatland both see mathematics as a great influence in a sense that mathematics allows both artists and scientists to go beyond simple solutions using mathematical theories and practices. But in the grand scheme of things, art and science is not just another way to solve mathematical solutions, but rather ways to creatively express and discover new aesthetic products and capabilities.

In Henderson’s article, he analyzes idea of mathematics in art and science with the fourth dimension. He mentions that artists who concentrated on the fourth dimension alone owed something to the Non-Euclidean geometrics that had prepared the way for the acceptance of alternative kinds of space. Henderson also states that the mathematical fourth dimension was primarily a symbol of liberation and encouraged artists to depart from visual reality by rejecting the one-point perspective system by the three dimensions used for centuries. Overall, mathematics has been used as a great stepping stone for both art and science. For science, mathematics works in improving research methods and calculations synonymously. For art, mathematics gains the trust of the artists by challenging their understanding of depicting the difference between realism and surrealism. For both art and science, mathematics allows the concept of “nature” in each field to be measurable and attainable. In comparison to the figure below, most are thrown off by the idea of mathematics conjoined with art and science. In reality most people are thrown off by the concept of putting two different things side by side. I was on that same boat until I stopped and actually thought about why math, art and science work harmoniously.

In Flatland’s article, he mentions the idea of teaching an individual the progression of art from a single point of one dimension, to a line of two dimensions and so forth. Like so, if it weren't for art, science, and math existing, we wouldn't witness some of the most beautiful progressions known to mankind. Whether that may be progress in music, nature, or a painting, math has a great influence on both art and science just as much as art and science influences mathematics…simple and beautiful as that.  

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Citations:

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion. Leonardo, Vol. 17, No. 3. (1984), pp. 205-210.

Abbott, Edwin A. A Romance of Many Dimensions. (1884) pp. 30-36.

Xyara, Dywiann. "Abstract-scientist on DeviantArt." Abstract-scientist. June 4, 2015. http://abstract-scientist.deviantart.com/.