Unit 2 Blog Assignment (Math and Art)

This week, the focus was specifically on math and art. We explored comparisons of the two as separate subjects, as well as how and where each is seen or demonstrated.


Many have acquired a belief that one can only be good at one of the two subjects rather than both. Personally, I would hope for this not to be true as either subject is very interesting and equally important to me. In reality, it is evident that each and every one of us are born with the ability to perform either skill.


However, according to R. Buckminster Fuller, we become more accustomed to one if the two topics, math or science, due to our educational experience. This is a process that he refers to as degeniusing. He explains that it is the reason that many students are often unable to provide an equal contribution to both subjects.

R. Buckminster Fuller

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/bucky-on-stage/

Art and math affect the world around us in many ways that we often overlook. Architecture is just one example presented in lecture. Geometry has both mathematical and artistic applications and has quite literally been what has held some of the most important architectural accomplishments together. The Great Pyramid of Giza, for example, was build using the golden ratio and picturesque art.

               The Golden Ratio in Design

The Golden Ratio in Design | Elements of art, Golden ratio in nature, Golden ratio

As a student pursuing a major in Human Biology, most of my efforts are focused in math and science. Although they are often posed as separate subjects, art is both an extremely important and influential part of my education as well. Art is often used as a medium of taking what we know as science or math, and putting it to use. Art gives us a way of expressing what we understand, and even what we do not. “Arts and science are similar in that they are expressions of what it is to be human in this world. Both are driven by curiosity, discovery, the aspiration for knowledge of the world or oneself” (Koek 11).

Art and math may differ in their methodology, however they can create much more of an impact when they coexist.


.

Right Brain Left Brain

https://www.lucidmindcenter.com/right-brain-left-brain-test/



Works Cited

Abbott, Edwin Abbott. Flatland: a Romance of Many Dimensions. Penguin Classics, 2020. 


Anonymous. “Interesting Facts About the Golden Ratio in Nature, Art, Math and Architecture.” Knoji, 2017, https://knoji.com/article/interesting-facts-about-the-golden-ratio-in-nature-art-math-and-architecture/. Accessed 10 4 2021.


Anonymous. “Right Brain Left Brain – Test Your Brain.” Lucid Mind Center, 2020, https://www.lucidmindcenter.com/right-brain-left-brain-test/. Accessed 10 4 2021.


Ferreira, ByRute. “Art and Math: Aesthetics of Calculations.” DailyArtMagazine.com - Art History Stories, 4 Jan. 2019, www.dailyartmagazine.com/art-and-math/. 


Ireland, Corydon. “Bucky on stage.” The Harvard Gazette, 2011, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/bucky-on-stage/. Accessed 10 4 2021.


Koek, Ariane. “Arts and Science Are Similar in That They Are Expressions of What It Is to Be Human in This World .” Medium, 4 Oct. 2011, luclalande.medium.com/arts-and-science-are-similar-in-that-they-are-expressions-of-what-it-is-to-be-human-in-this-world-b5624a2ffe2a. 


“Fine Artist Playing with Interactivity, Math, Code.” Nathan Selikoff, 18 Jan. 2020, nathanselikoff.com/. 


TippingPointMath, director. What Is the Golden Ratio? YouTube, YouTube, 5 Apr. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSfJEDZ_WM. 


Comments

  1. Antonia ValenciaApril 11, 2021 at 8:37 PM

    Hi Donovan! I like that you began your post by introducing R. Buckminster Fuller’s concept of “degengiusing”. I particularly find this notion very interesting, in that it states that all people are born geniuses, but the process of living, specifically the education system, works to degenius or reduce our focus. This causes us to feel forced to choose one specific discipline, either the arts or mathematics — in reality, however, both disciplines are complementary and should in fact be intertwined. Moreover, I believe that your example of the Great Pyramid of Giza really represents this notion, for in order for it to have been created, the amalgamation of the arts and mathematics must have occurred.


    ReplyDelete
  2. Makayla_DESMA9April 11, 2021 at 9:57 PM

    Your second paragraph is very interesting. I also think the schooling system is a huge part of why people become focused on either art of STEM. I think there is a lot of pressure to choose between the two. Specialization occurs where you must decide if you are equipped for arts/humanities or science, especially when choosing a major.
    There is also the left and right brain theory. People described as left-brain thinkers are told that they have strong math and logic skills. Those who are described as right-brain thinkers, are told that their talents are more on the creative side of things. However, I would like to think that someone can encompass both STEM and art. -Makayla Roberts

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