The Golden Section and Mystery of Phi
When you look deeply at nature and our surroundings, you can begin to identify and analyse the role that mathematics plays in aspects of our daily life. The Golden Ratio is considered to be everywhere: nature, music, our fingerprints, logo’s, artwork and buildings. The Golden Ratio is aesthetically pleasing to our eyes. Look at the two pictures below and choose which one you like best.
In one of our recent lectures on Art and Maths, we were introduced to abstract art by artist Piet Mondrian. If you like the picture on the right, then I guess you are an exception to the rule. I drew that picture with no knowledge of how to create Mondrian abstract art and just experimented with lines and colour. If you like the picture on the left better, have a think about why? Is there anything in particular that jumps out at you? The picture on the left draws on the mathematical concepts and principles of the Fibonacci sequence. The measurements between the lines within the picture all fit in with the numbers on the sequence. To me, it is more aesthetically pleasing and it seems to have more structure to it.
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/piet-mondrian-1651
It is worthwhile to bare in mind that because the golden ration is pleasing to the eye, we might show an unconscious preference to it. Artists may make choices in their work which result in approximations of the golden ration without drawing on the concept and principles directly. Could it be that the golden ration is not so mysterious and that it is somewhat learned rather than innate? Just some food for thought.
I absolutely loved the TV series 24. Kiefer Sutherland had me on the edge of my seat constantly. His new drama ‘Touch’ draws on mathematical concepts such as patterns relating to numbers and sequences. Take a look at the trailer below and see the golden ratio, and links between numbers, guide the drama and story line through exciting twists and turns.
Further reading and links
15 Uncanny examples of the Golden Ration in Nature
The Golden Ratio and Aesthetics
Bridget Riley
Bridget Riley is a famous English artist who began her first Op Art paintings using only black and white colours and simple geometric shapes such as ovals, squares and lines. Throughout her career, Riley never admitted to using mathematics in her art work, but it is hard to dispute the mathematical features which her work comprises of.
Movement in Squares – http://www.op-art.co.uk/bridget-riley/
Two-blues – http://www.op-art.co.uk/bridget-riley/
Below is an interesting article written by Dodgson, who investigates whether mathematical measures can can characterise Bridget Riley’s stripe paintings.
Mathematical characterisation of Bridget Riley’s Stripe Paintings
I hope my discussions above and the links to further reading has helped support some of the claims that maths can be beautiful and that it can be found in many aspects of our daily life.
