Math + Art

It is hard to deny the close connection between mathematics and arts. Even before this lecture, I was deeply aware that math and art are cohesively intertwined with each other after reading Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown several times. I admired the hint and codes that Priory of Sion Grand Master Jacques Saunière left for Sophie Neveu and Robert Langdon when he was found in the pose of Vitruvian Man. Hints were chained and became increasingly mysterious so that I found myself wholeheartedly addicted to the decoding process. From this book, I did a comprehensive research about Da Vincis' masterpieces. For example, his 1492 drawing of Vitruvian Man, known worldwide, is a tribute to his study of human proportion. 

Leonardo’s famous drawings of the Vitruvian proportions of a man’s body first standing inscribed in a square and then with feet and arms outspread inscribed in a circle provides an excellent early example of the way in which his studies of proportion fuse artistic and scientific objectives. It is apparent that without application of mathematical principles, such a masterpiece would not meet the world.Moreover, as professor Vesna menetioned in the lecture video: Mathematics is a study of relationship of numbers, operations, interrelations, combinations, generalizations, etc, I remember how impressed I was when I visited the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago. Here is a picture of it:

The initial idea and the basic structure came from 9 cigarettes, which are put into different heights. Willis Tower contains approximately 4.56 million gross square feet and has a rentable area of 3.8 million square feet. 4.56 million gross square feet would cover 105 acres if spread across one level, or the equivalent of 16 city blocks in Chicago. Every single step of the construction must precisely and accurately based on mathematical calculation and application of physics. The data and numbers on the blueprint must be sophisticatedly verified, including decimals. Only a series of consistent calculation and construction could set Sears tower apart from other buildings from the same era. Mathematics creates unique and stable masterpieces that not only provide efficient amount of working spaces but also embellish the city features.

There are countless examples of how arts involve math, here is a video:

As I always believe, dots create lines, lines create shapes, shapes create graphs, and graphs create beauty. The graphs derive from maths and arts represent beauty.

Sources:

1. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Da Vinci Code.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2005. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
2. Mancuso, Janice. "Leonardo DaVinci."Italianhistorical.com. n. page. Web. 11 Oct. 2013. <http://www.italianhistorical.org/page25.html>.
3. Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” Cole UC online. Youtube, Fri. 11 Oct. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&feature=player_embedded>.
4. "Building Information: History and Facts." Willis Tower. N.p.. Web. 11 Oct 2013. <http://www.willistower.com/>.
5. aelithou, , dir. Mathematics & art. Web. 11 Oct 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb4OrqPBQyA>.