Archetypes of art and concepts of science as pathways from natural to engineering design

Abstract

In a broad sense "engineering" means any activity aimed at the creation of material-based artifacts to meet various human needs and interests. In all areas of engineering, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary connections play a significant role. Aesthetical aspects and analogies taken from arts and concepts of science (including ideas of quantum physics) often serve as stimuli for engineering design. Of a particular interest are imports from surrealistic and paradoxical ("visionary" ) arts, as well as some radical ideas and concepts of physics. This article discusses, often overlooked and subtle, inputs to engineering design from the realms of artistic creativity and concepts relevant to microphysical (quantum) levels of physical reality. © 2010 WIT Press.