DESMA 9 WEEK 2 POST

This week was actually interesting to me even though I thought it wouldn't be. Like many of us in the arts, I detest mathematics. I don't like the fact that there is one definite answer, and I don't like how there's usually one or two ways to get that answer. Numbers aren't my friend. Although, especially after listening to the lecture, I took some time to really think just how much mathematics influence my own work and the work of other influential artists.

1) The first example is photoshop itself. All of my work goes through photoshop for color corrections.

Photoshop in and of itself is a huge algorithm that uses tons of mathematics in order to achieve the desired effect. I use it a lot in my own work and didn't even realize it.









2) The 2nd example was a rumor that I've actually heard quite a few times about the Mona Lisa.

Being that Da Vinci was a mathematical master, he painted the Mona Lisa with the golden rectangles in pivotal points of the painting.










3) The 3rd example is aspect ratios etc in photography.

Aspect ratios in photography are very important in sizing and choosing what picture size is important and also it's another algorithm. Another thing with photography is that in film, that there are certain ratios of chemicals that need to be mixed in order to develop photos and it's a mathematical process.

In reference to the above post (#2) the artist that I was inspired by this week was Mondrian. 

He used the golden rectangle in his work constantly and the lecture mentioned him creating basic shapes, out of basic shapes. I've always liked and found something captivating about Mondrian's work and this explains why. I think his logical way of thinking appeals to me. The work is visually simplistic, but really captivating, which is what I want to capture in my own work. 

I think that this week I learned that most artists don't intentionally use mathematics in their work. At least more contemporary ones. I think that the artists that did use them (Da Vinci, Mondrian, etc) were masters and set the groundwork for many different types of artworks today. I think that the marrying of art and science can definitely help improve the relationship of arts in general. I think that in the long run, artists that can incorporate mathematics and sciences have a better chance at a prosperous career. It's having the best of both worlds. This was demonstrated in the DMA Grad show I attended two years ago where the projects were all mindblowing. Especially David Lenord's piece about the murders in Los Angeles. 

Overall, I think the junxaposition between art and math is a symbiotic relationship. I think the two definitely compliment each other, but not many people can harness the potential of both. So hopefully in the future, this will be more commonplace.