Art And Mathematics:Escher And Tessellations Essay -- Math Artistic Pa

Art And Mathematics:Escher And Tessellations On first thought, mathematics and art seem to be totally opposite fields of study with absolutely no connections. However, after careful consideration, the great degree of relation between these two subjects is amazing. Mathematics is the central ingredient in many artworks. Through the exploration of many artists and their works, common mathematical themes can be discovered. For instance, the art of tessellations, or tilings, relies on geometry. M.C. Escher used his knowledge of geometry, and mathematics in general, to create his tessellations, some of his most well admired works. It is well known that in the past, Renaissance artists received their training in an atmosphere of artists and mathematicians studying and learning together (Emmer 2). People also suggest that the art of the future will depend on new technologies, computer graphics in particular (Emmer 1). There are many mathematical advantages to using computer graphics. They can help to visualize phenomena and to understand how to solve new problems (Emmer 2). â€Å"The use of ‘visual computers’ gives rise to new challenges for mathematicians. At the same time, computer graphics might in the future be the unifying language between art and science† (Emmer 3). However, one must remember that art is by no means the same as mathematics. â€Å"It employs virtually none of the resources implicit in the term pure mathematics.† Many people object that art has nothing to do with mathematics; that mathematics is unemotional and injurious to art, which is purely a matter of feeling. In The Introduction to the Visual Mind: Art and Mathematics, Max Bill refutes this argument by stati... ...d Mathematics. Ed. Michele Emmer. Cambridge: MIT Press. 5-9. Emmer, Michele. â€Å"Intoduction to the Visual Mind:Art and Mathematics.† The Visual Mind: Art and Mathematics. Ed. Michele Emmer. Cambridge: MIT Press. 1-3. Escher, M.C. Escher on Escher- Exploring the Infinite. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1986.whattess.html. â€Å"Math Forum: What is a Tessellation?† Available Online.http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/whattess.html.Accessed 10/5/99. â€Å"Maurits Cornelius Escher.† Available Online. http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Escher.html. Accessed 10/16/99. †M.C. Escher- Interlocking Shapes and Tessellations.† Available Online. http://www.znet.com/~wchow/escher.htm. Accessed 10/7/99. Schattschneider, Doris. â€Å"The Fascination of Tiling.† The Visual Mind: Art and Mathematics. Ed. Michele Emmer. Cambridge: MIT Press. 157-164.