Art, Science + Technology
DMA9 Fall 2007, Section BArchive for October 14, 2007
Math+Rock=Art
How is art and technology related to math rock?
The term math rock was coined after the genre started. This naming is much like when art unrelated to the humanities was named science. Originally science was thought of as art, but over time this perception changed. The term math rock is similar. It is taking something that is undoubtedly art and giving it a non art affiliation with the term math. But the word math is somewhat accurate in describing the music. Math rock is not music where you just play what you feel. It is calculated to achieve a complex song. Gil described math rock accurately when he said it is a type of music that you listen to with your head and not with your body.
Ruins, in particular, are not a band that is going to make feet tap to the rhythm. But there are many math rock bands that do have head bobbing characteristics. The most popular math rock band these days is U.S. based Battles. Battles uses alternate time signatures like Ruins, but the math rock of the U.S. is much less noise oriented than the math rock of Japan. The instruments used to achieve a much “cleaner” sound. Many American math rock bands use the same musical lineup as a standard rock band, but uses the instruments quite differently. Battles use unique techniques such as tapping on the fret board as opposed to strumming are picking. This tapping gives the music a repetitive feel which adds to the term math. Their new album especially uses new synthesizers and vocals that are unique to math rock.
But what makes math rock so artistic is its exactness. Every note is syncopated precisely. This lack of extra flair can also be seen in their visual art. The Battles song Atlas has a music video very representative of math rock. The video is very stark with the band playing in a metallic cube with mirrors. Math rock is not more artistic than other forms of music but it does use new techniques and instruments that make technology and the brain work together to create intricate songs.
Desma Week 2: Math, Art and Music
How are math and nature related?
I find it amazing how natural systems adhere to mathematical formulas. Plants and animals exhibit geometric symmetry, and many consist of parts that can be reduced to the “golden ratio”; it seems as if all of nature can be described by math. Fractals, geometric shapes that can be cut into smaller parts that resemble the original shape, are of particular interest to me. Fractals can be found in plants (for example the fern) and even the human body (the nervous system). Computers can use algorithms to produce complex fractals that can be infinity divided into smaller parts. It is mind-blowing that math and nature are so intertwined, and makes me wonder if there is a mathematical formula for everything. Math has a clear influence on nature, which is why math has become a necessary component of art.
Is math rock really a blend of music and math?
Last Wednesday when we saw the math rock performance in class, I did not really know what to expect. I figured that the lyrics might include mathematical terms, or that the music itself would follow some mathematical pattern – hence the name “math rock.” However, I was surprised to learn that math rock does not explicitly utilize mathematics; the irregular meter and complicated rhythm of math rock are what gives math rock its name. So, math rock is comparable to mathematics in that they both rely on careful calculations and both have the ability to completely confound the observer. I thoroughly enjoyed the math rock performance, and I think that my background in math helped me to appreciate the performance all the more.
http://www.mathartfun.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/index.html
http://www.opentomusic.co.uk/2007/07/10/rock-music-with-magic-numbers/
http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/projects/perspective/
Math Rock and the Golden Ratio
Is Math Rock for Everyone?
To be honest, if I were to listen to some math rock without a description as to what it is, all I would hear would be a lot of banging and yelling. But after a detailed history and a somewhat lengthy introduction, I gained a better understanding of the motives behind this relatively new genre of music. Was it exactly what I was expecting? Definitely not, as nothing ever is. Do I consider myself to be a math rock fan? Not necessarily, although that’s just a personal preference. I do, however, respect it for its hidden complexity, as well as the dedication a math rock performer must put forth to create such music.
Is the golden ratio intended or simply a coincidence?
The golden ratio exists when the ratio between the sum of two quantities is equal to the ratio of the larger and smaller quantities; a value that is approximately equal to 1.6180339887. This ratio, for whatever reason, is quite prevalent today. At least since the Renaissance, artists, architects, and designers have used the golden ratio in their works. For instance, the Parthenon is a great example. But the golden ratio’s presence stretches far beyond the reach of art and architecture; it is also present in the human body and nature. So is the golden ratio just simply a coincidence? Its widespread prevalence suggests otherwise…
mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio
www.geocities.com/robinhuiscool/Goldenratio.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rock
W2: Music, Fractals
How do fractals illustrate disparities between math and the real world?
Fractals are a strange thing. Fractals constantly juxtapose the natural with the unreal. In a Sierpinski triangle, you wind up with a void enclosed by a finite perimeter. Yet the same types of fractals describe mountain ranges, tree growth and even clouds. Clearly, fractals exist in nature, but I can’t say I have ever seen an infinite perimeter enclosing a finite area. So is it our perceptions of the world that are wrong? Or is it the math? If the math were wrong, then it would mean that calculus is wrong. Yet calculus is a scientific pillar upon which the whole of humankind’s modern technological development is built.
The same sort of problem arises outside fractal patterns like the Sierpinski or the Cantor Set. Lets say we take a quarter and drop it to the ground. In 1 second, it will fall half the distant. The next second, another half. If we look at the rate of its fall this way, it will never hit the ground. It will get infinitely close to the ground but will never it. The same sort of disparity exists with all forms of measurement. Quite simply, the more precisely you measure something, the bigger the measurement gets. I certainly can’t explain this, but it certainly is something to dwell upon.
My thoughts on math rock:
Yoshida is an incredible drummer. Intense, frantic and rythmic, his songs have a true range to them. Yet at the same time, it can also be very irregular, jumping from a pop-sounding part to a jerky rhythm. Most music simply stays with a normal sounding rhythm, afraid to take a break from the regular and just do something weird.
Yoshida’s music is also interesting in that he uses a synthesizer to provide other parts of music and to repeat vocal loops. There are really very few bands (compared to the whole and especially in the mainstream) that use electronic techniques to add to their music. Not that all bands should use synth or Live in their music, but interesting things happen when music and technology meet. Bands have been making weird noises for a very long time (Pink Floyd is a good/popular example). Using technology to make these weird noises just seems like the natural evolution of things.
I got a ton of pictures from Yoshida’s performance and here are a few of my favorites (the rest are on my blog at http://photo.linkportfolio.net
Ok I couldn’t get silly wordpress to link to these properly. It could just be my hot-link protection but hell if i know.
Oh well, just click the links if you want to see =)
http://photo.linkportfolio.net/index.php?showimage=218
http://photo.linkportfolio.net/index.php?showimage=215
The Deeper Connection between math and science WK 2
Blair Georgakas
How did math rock get its name?
Never having heard of math rock in my life before, I was intrigued when we were first introduced to its name. Thinking of math rock, I wondered what exactly it is. Why is it called math rock? Is it actually based on mathematical equations? I felt like I had been sheltered and my mind had been shut for years of such a unique idea and all the possibilities we, as humans, are capable of. I pictured math rock as a chaotic sound with jumbling numbers of beats per measure that were somehow related to a mathematical calculation.
As we started getting the history of math rock and learning what it really was about, I realized my assumptions were far off. Math rock is not at all based on the structure of an equation and beats to a measure, but rather the opposite. Surprisingly to me, math rock is free to be whatever it wants to be; free to be unexpected. I found out that it strung off of rock, creating its own genre of music that was different from the same predictable rhythm like so many other sounds during the time. The name math rock developed only after this new type of music was being discovered. It got its name not because its sound and math are directly related, but rather because the music gives off the same feeling as an overwhelming and seemingly never ending challenge to solve a calculation would.
What did math rock teach you about the connection between science and art?
Math rock gave me a new understanding of the connection between science and math. Typically we think of the connection in video games, where the two directly rely on each other to create a successful product. We do not at first glance think that science and art are related at all unless we are thinking of the ways in which they need each other, like in the example of video games. However, after learning more about math rock, I now realize they have a deeper connection. They can connect in an emotional sense. The energy and feeling one culture gives off can influence the other, just as math inspired rock and consequently created math rock.
the art in math… and the math in art
Not surprisingly, people have found the beauty of art to lie within math. Math is mostly based off of patterns, whether reoccuring, complex, or completely abstract. This idea is not only restricted to geometric tessellations, but in a sequence of numbers or a single sequence of numbers such as exponential growth, a barred number, or the sequence of prime numbers, which seems to have absolutely no pattern whatsoever, which is actually a pattern in itself. Artists often use this theory or idea to create a structured piece of art. After all, perception of depth is mathematical in itself, and art analysts often use these mathematical calculations to determine the accuracy and quality of a picture or model. As a matter of fact, most of the art done today regarding design for a car, plane, etc is based off the golden ratio for the design of the body.
Artists today have also interestingly found a way to incorporate… if you could call it… math into music. Known as MATH ROCK, this rather unstructured type of music is inspired over practically… nothing. The beats switch back between 7/8, 11/8, and 13/8 so the music is practically impossible to follow. With a lifetime of classical music and rock background, math rock is not very appealing to me. the beats are impressive, but with no story behind the music, i find it to be just noise… much like math symbols and numbers thrown together that do not formulate anything.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Math_rock
http://www.wolframscience.com/nksonline/page-909d-text
http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/RR/database/RR.09.96/archamb1.html
http://zebu.uoregon.edu/1999/es202/l3.html
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/GoldenRatio.html
Week 2: Math and Art
How is math related to perspective art?
Before class this week I was unaware of the precise mathematical calculations involved with perspective art work. I knew that perspective involved geometric proportions, but being a scientist (not an artist) I never looked into how much math is really involved. I was able to get a firsthand account of how difficult it actually is to draw perspective art. In discussion on Wednesday I decided to draw a picture using a single vanishing point to create depth. Like I previously stated I am not an artist. The only things that I had drawn before that even resembled a three dimensional object was a box. However, after understanding and being shown how to utilize Brunelleschi’s single vanishing point I was able to go outside and draw a picture with depth. It was nothing spectacular, but there was definitely a perception of depth.
The activity made me realize that with proper geometrical calculations, it is very much possible for three dimensional settings to come to life on a two dimensional surface. It made a very clear connection as to how math and art are really related and how artists have created such life like and accurately proportioned works of art.
How much math is associated with math rock?
Surprisingly, there is not all that much mathematics associated with math rock. Math rock is more so characterized by the unusual meters that are constantly changing. The performance in class was really helpful in understanding this concept. It seemed almost like the music was played off the top of the performers head with no structure. It seemed this way to me because I had never even heard of math rock prior to this week. I am used to more traditional beats used in other rock music (such as the 4/4 beat) that gives more so the impression of a structured pattern. It was something that really captured my attention for I never knew what different sounds and beats would be played.
Links:
http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/HistTopics/Art.html
http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/projects/perspective/theory.htm
http://mathforum.org/sum95/math_and/perspective/perspect.html
Week 2 – Peter Chang
Scientific perspectives and art
The overlying theme of this week’s discussion of science and art is that the creation of art (at least visual arts) has always been connected with science and math. From Al-Haytham’s study of light to Brunelleschi’s notion of a single vanishing point in perspective, science has been incorporated into visual art for centuries.
Artists who used such mathematical techniques did so as to try to understand mankind in a scientific matter just as scientists use mathematics in their research to understand their physical world. This mathematical interest in artists has been the basis of their perspective of the world. Brunelleschi wanted to portray the world of three dimensions as accurately as he could in his art and thus discovered the technique of the singular vanishing point as applied to paintings. But that’s not the end of the story. In the beginning of the 20th century when “the fourth dimension was a concern common to artists in nearly every major modern movement”, artists began searching for new ways to break out of their three dimensional drawings to try to gain a deeper meaning of the new world of the fourth dimension. Unfortunately for artists, debate spread about whether mankind could actually experience the fourth dimension. Some applied a very metaphysical interpretation to the fourth dimension in “hyperspace philosophy” while others followed Einstein’s belief of “time” as the fourth dimension. Whatever the case, the perspective artists have of the world they live in is largely influenced by their connection to math and sciences.
Here is a short (comical) clip of what I feel to be a good analogy to how artists felt about their fourth dimension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6T0UQfKTcQw
I want to finish this post by discussing our math rock presentation on Wednesday. Many of us have never even heard of the genre so thus expected some connection to mathematics in what we heard. However, the more Yoshido Tatsuya talked about his genre, the more I came to believe that there really was no connection between the sciences and math rock. This, I believe, is a good example of how art does not necessarily have to have connections to the math and sciences to interpret the world they live in.
