Design and Mathematics... Closer in Relation than Once Thought
Leonardo Da Vinci-one of the most brilliant men in the history of this world-is a prime example of how design and mathematics is hand-in hand. Like most Renaissance artists, the fascination of finding order in the universe was epitomized through geometric shapes and patterns of art, which is what Leonardo exemplified throughout his works. Leonardo paid particular attention to proportion.
The Vitruvian man is a drawing depicting a man of ideal proportions. His analogy of the universe was such that the square symbolizes the material existence and the circle symbolizes the spiritual existence. The proportions of the human body are as follows:
• a palm is the width of four fingers
• a foot is the width of four palms
• a cubit is the width of six palms
• a man's height is four cubits (and thus 24 palms)
• a pace is four cubits
• the length of a man's outspread arms is equal to his height
• the distance from the hairline to the bottom of the chin is one-tenth of a man's height
• the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin is one-eighth of a man's height
• the maximum width of the shoulders is a quarter of a man's height
• the distance from the elbow to the tip of the hand is one-fifth of a man's height
• the distance from the elbow to the armpit is one-eighth of a man's height
• the length of the hand is one-tenth of a man's height
• the distance from the bottom of the chin to the nose is one-third of the length of the head
• the distance from the hairline to the eyebrows is one-third of the length of the face
• the length of the ear is one-third of the length of the face
The Golden Section is a ratio, length to width, of rectangles being 1.61803 39887 49894 84820 in size created by the Greeks. This ratio of the rectangle has been considered the most pleasing to the eye, which is why Leonardo included it within his masterpieces--practically every one. The Mona Lisa is shown here with the squares around her torso and face.
The Rubix Cube Rocks!!
Tricky little cube isn't it? It is because it's mathematical (which is probably why it’s so hard for me to figure the thing out)!
The Spectacular Kafre Pyramid:
Need I say more?
Frank Gehry's Millennium Park in Chicago
Mathematically expressed? Absolutley, but it's not my job to figure this one out.
MATH AND BIOLOGY, ART, GAME, ARCHITECTURE... IT'S EVERYWHERE!