Geometry and Arithmetic

Abstract

GEOMETRY AND ART SYMMETRY, BALANCE, SCALE __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HAT DO MATH AND THE VISUAL ARTS HAVE IN COMMON? WHAT CONCEPTS DO they share? Why should we as learners have an understanding of these concepts? These are some of the guiding ideas that will be explored in this resource. We know that line, shape, form, pattern, symmetry, scale, and proportion are the building blocks of both art and math. Geometry offers the most obvious connection between the two disciplines. Both art and math involve drawing and the use of shapes and forms, as well as an understanding of spatial concepts, two and three dimensions, measurement, estimation, and pattern. Many of these concepts are evident in an artwork's composition, how the artist uses the elements of art and applies the principles of design. Problem-solving skills such as visualization and spatial reasoning are also important for artists and professionals in math, science, and technology. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to art and geometry, students can identify and apply authentic connections between the two subjects and understand concepts that transcend the individual disciplines. The parallels between geometry and art can be seen in many works of art in LACMA's collection. Some are functional, such as the table lamp composed of geometric shapes and intersecting lines designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Complex and intricate patterns can also be found in quilts; the museum's 1930s-era quilt by artist Laura Long is an example. Geometric concepts are also evident in painting and sculpture, as in the cubist still life by the Mexican modernist Diego Rivera and in the works of American artist David Smith.