Manifold Mirrors: The Crossing Paths of the Arts and Mathematics - Softcover

Cucker, Felipe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521728762 ISBN 13: 9780521728768

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Most works of art, whether illustrative, musical or literary, are created subject to a set of constraints. In many (but not all) cases, these constraints have a mathematical nature, for example, the geometric transformations governing the canons of J. S. Bach, the various projection systems used in classical painting, the catalog of symmetries found in Islamic art, or the rules concerning poetic structure. This fascinating book describes geometric frameworks underlying this constraint-based creation. The author provides both a development in geometry and a description of how these frameworks fit the creative process within several art practices. He furthermore discusses the perceptual effects derived from the presence of particular geometric characteristics. The book began life as a liberal arts course and it is certainly suitable as a textbook. However, anyone interested in the power and ubiquity of mathematics will enjoy this revealing insight into the relationship between mathematics and the arts.

About this title

Book Description:

Felipe Cucker presents a unifying mathematical structure to explore the relationship between mathematics and the arts, including architecture, music, poetry and more. The book emerged from the author's undergraduate course, but requiring only basic high-school knowledge of mathematics it makes a fascinating read for anyone interested in the arts.

About the Author:

Felipe Cucker is Chair Professor of Mathematics at the City University of Hong Kong. His research covers a variety of subjects including semi-algebraic geometry, computer algebra, complexity, emergence in decentralized systems (in particular, emergence of languages and flocking), learning theory, and foundational aspects of numerical analysis. He serves on the editorial board of several journals and is Managing Editor of the journal Foundations of Computational Mathematics, published by the society of the same name.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0521728762
• ISBN 13: 9780521728768
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 424