Week 2 - Insights to Math and Science

          This week, we examined the juxtaposition of mathematics, art, and science. An interesting insight that I found was that math and science influences art but art can just as easily influence math and science.

          For example, the Mandelbrot set showed me how something as methodical as a simple math equation, Z = z²  + C, can be turned into art. These fractals display patterns in which a detailed representation of itself could be reproduced by “zooming” in. The idea is so systematic; that its aesthetically pleasing patterns create a sense of wonder.

The Mandelbrot Set
Picture found here 

While math can easily become art, art can just as easily become an applicable technological model. Robert Lang explained in his TED talk that origami was once an ancient Japanese paper-folding art form. However, with the advance of technology, computer codes could facilitate the transformation of single pieces of paper to complex artistic structures.

Origami facilitated with the use of mathmatical algorithms.
Screenshot from this video.

The idea of creating a complex structure from a single piece of material could then be utilized in the sciences as far reaching as medical devices to satellites in outer space. Lang transformed art to mathematics, computational algorithms, and a solution to many technological problems. The combination of Lang and Mandelbrot’s creations showed me that artistic and scientific findings do not have to be boxed into their respective worlds, but when the two are allowed to expand – even more amazing creations can be made.

          The Floating Numbers display in the Jewish Museum Berlin, seen here, further proves that science can enrich art, and vice versa, that art enhances the sciences. In this piece, the artist depicts numbers on a table via a touch-screen tabletop. When touched, the numbers display their greater meaning. 

Floating Numbers Display

This artistic piece tells the story of many scientifically significant numbers, while simultaneously; the technology enhances the experience of the viewers. Floating Numbers is neither distinctly scientific nor distinctly artistic. Imagine the piece without the technological aspect of a touch screen, or imagine a bunch of numbers on a touch screen without the artistic elements of music and design. This piece further emphasizes that the juxtaposition of science and art can be combined into a tool that enhances our creations.

Sources

 1. Alfed, Peter. "The Mandelbrot Set." (1998): n. page. Print. <http://www.math.utah.edu/~pa/math/mandelbrot/>.

2. "Floating Numbers." (2004): n. page. Print. <http://www.artcom.de/en/projects/project/detail/floatingnumbers/>.

3. Lang, Robert, perf. Robert Lang: The math and magic of origami. TED , Film. 5 Oct 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami.html>.

4. Lang , Robert. "Science, Mathematics, and Technology." n. page. Print. <http://www.langorigami.com/science/science.php>.

5. Weisstein, Eric W. "Mandelbrot Set." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource.http://mathworld.wolfram.com/MandelbrotSet.html