Week 2 DESMA 9

 This week's lesson demonstrated the potential connections between mathematics art and science. I learned more about how dimensions affect creativity and perception from Flatland. Strandbeests by Theo Jansen showed how mathematical, engineering, and physics concepts can give artwork realistic movement. He uses exact calculations to make his creatures walk, demonstrating how math can bring design to life. This knowledge was expanded by the PBS fractals documentary, which showed how basic equations can produce intricate, realistic-looking patterns. These illustrations made it easier for me to see math as a creative engine underpinning scientific advancement and artistic innovation.

    I learned how profoundly mathematics can impact both art and science from M.C. Escher's work. His use of symmetry, geometry, and impossible perspectives—such as in Ascending and Descending or Relativity—illustrates how mathematical ideas can contradict our understanding of reality and space. Despite having no formal training in mathematics, Escher was captivated by the subject and collaborated closely with mathematicians to investigate ideas such as tessellations and infinity. His artwork combines creativity and reason to make abstract concepts visible and intelligible. Escher's viewpoint allowed me to see how mathematics can influence not only scientific models but also potent, provocative visual art.

     This week truly made me realize how math is used in unexpected ways by scientists and artists. I had a new perspective on dimensions and how geometry can influence how we perceive space after reading Flatland. I was astounded by Theo Jansen's Strandbeests; it's like witnessing art come to life as he employs physics and mathematics to make his creatures move with the wind. The documentary on fractals also stayed with me; I had no idea that math could produce patterns that closely resembled those found in nature. In general, I'm beginning to view math as a creative tool as well as a subject.

    In my opinion, the juxtaposition of science, art, and mathematics is a synthesis of creativity, logic, and discovery. Despite their apparent differences, they frequently use the same ideas—such as form, structure, and patterns—to generate creativity and meaning. This week, I learned how scientists use creativity to solve problems and how artists use math to make ideas come to life.



Flatland. Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884. (n.d.). https://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM 

Jansen, T. (n.d.). My creations, are a new form of life. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/theo_jansen_my_creations_a_new_form_of_life?language=en

Playing at the intersection of interactivity, math, and code. Nathan Selikoff. (n.d.). https://www.nathanselikoff.com/




Comments

  1. Adrian TamApril 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM

    Hi Kaitlyn, I really enjoyed reading your post. Your reflections on the connection between math, science, and art were thoughtfully expressed. I especially liked how you highlighted Escher’s ability to make abstract mathematical concepts feel tangible and visual. It’s fascinating that, even without formal training, he was able to communicate complex ideas like infinity and symmetry so clearly through his art. Your mention of the Strandbeests stood out to me too. There’s something so captivating about how Jansen uses precise calculations to create movement that feels almost organic. It really does show how math can be more than just numbers, where it can be a driving force behind creativity and expression.

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  2. Alexsa GimenezApril 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM

    Hello Kaitlyn! Your post is so interesting! I think your connections between science and math are very thoughtful. I found it interesting how you realized this connection between how perspective and dimensions truly do hold a lot of math such as geometry , I think this is something that really stood out to me as well. I thought it stood out to me how art could be what it is today without science and Im sure in the future of this course we will learn more of all their connections.

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