It’s no secret that art in schools and education are the first ones to be impacted by budgetary cuts. It is often on the first programs to be cut because the public and those in office see art as “fun” but not essential. The perspective of art being unimportant couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, art is the foundation for these other subjects to thrive on. It enhances other subjects that are deemed important like math, literature, science and history through observation, problem solving and critical thinking. But just how deep goes art go into the other subjects?
Art+Math=Excellence
Now math and art aren’t two subjects that are often compared to each other. Off the top of mind, the foundation skills of perspective drawing, symmetry and proportions are all rooted in mathematical concepts but that’s only on side to the relationship. Art is used to help people to in visualizing and conceptualizing mathematical concepts, take for example The Golden Ratio. It is a mathematical equation presented as x/1=(1+x)/x where 1 is less than the X value approximating at 1.618. Now that’s a lot of numbers but what does it mean? This formula creates balance through addition and multiplication to create or find pleasing subjects or imagery in geometry, nature, architecture, and art to name a few.
Wherefore Art Thou Literature
Art and literature have always had a deep relationship with each other. They have both influenced the other as they share some commonalities like the expression of human experiences, ideas, and philosophies through different genres and methods of creations. Poems and stories are transformed into plays or illustrations by art that was inspired by an author’s writings. A more recent example of this is EPIC: The Concept Musical.
It is a musical in soundtrack only but it is one of my favorite plays that isn’t a play. Written by Jorge Rivera-Herran, EPIC has an engaging, diverse, and tragic soundtrack (Seriously check out the Underworld Saga!). It follows the age old story of Odysseus as he attempts to return to Ithaca and reunite with his son and wife. Rivera-Herran’s masterful composition, word choice, musical motifs and ballads not only enhanced the old story but it gives a new wave of inspiration to YouTube artists like Neal Illustrator, Duvetbox, and Stella Luna to create unique animatics that illustrate a saga or song!
Art is a Science and Science is an Art form
Art and science share an overlap that people may not first consider because of it’s surface level appearance. What does science have to do with how you paint a stroke or how does art affect your understanding of biological life forms? You can first see this relationship from the Greek word techne which is used to create the terms technique and technology, something both art and science use during their creative processes. The biggest commonality they have is that they are both experimental in nature.
They use their skills in investigation, craft theories, and conduct tests to find an answer to their pondering questions. The human anatomy is the best example of the close relationship between the two subjects. Artists and scientists had the shared interest of learning about the structures, movements and functions of the human body. Careful dissections and annotations helped to develop medicines and understandings that would not have been possible without the two working together.
A Picture of the Past
Art and history have the most recognized relationship among the four subjects discussed in this article! Art is not just a picture in this sense but is also a historical document that preserves major events or movements from the past. Cave paintings, artifacts, pottery, paintings, and sculptures are all forms of historical documentation. They shows us diverse perspectives of individuals, communities and overall societies. The two subjects play a major role in how our world is shaped and how it advances or delays from one time period to the next. The Italian Renaissance Movement itself had a long lasting impact on the world through art and history. It’s long reaching influence created both a period of rebirth and an awareness of humanity, nature and social interactions through inspiration.
LOCAL EVENT: Triad Anime Convention
Are you an anime nerd looking for a weekend of anime, manga or panel discussions? Maybe you’re looking for a place to grab anime theme merchandise from small artist? In the month of March, Winston Salem’s Benton convention center will be hosting a three day anime convention featuring different events, guest speakers and voice actors!
When/Where: March 28th-30th. Fri 12pm-10pm. Sat 10am-10pm. Sun 10am-2pm.
301 W 5th St Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Prices: Multi-Day Pass $65. Friday Pass $37. Saturday Pass $48. Sunday Pass $24
Link: https://triadanimecon.com/admission/
Sources
Anatomy: Art and science. Science Museum. (n.d.). https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/anatomy-art-and-science
Art and math: The golden ratio. Association of Old Crows. (2023, October 24). https://crows.org/stem-blog/art-and-math-the-golden-ratio/
The Arts Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). The Enduring Relationship of Science and Art. Science, Art and Technology. https://archive.artic.edu/sciarttech/2a1.html
Bardon, A. (2024, October 16). Renaissance art: History, impact & influential artists : Lu. Lindenwood University Online. https://online.lindenwood.edu/blog/the-renaissance-art-period-history-effects-and-influential-artists/
Keating, N. (n.d.). Epic: The musical innovates accessibilty in musical theater. The Oberlin Review. https://oberlinreview.org/34403/arts/epic-the-musical-innovates-accessibilty-in-musical-theater/#:~:text=I%20stress%20the%20importance%20of,end%20up%20on%2042nd%20Street.
Libretexts. (2024, August 19). 1.2: Interconnections of history and art. Humanities LibreTexts. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/Herstory%3A_A_History_of_Women_Artists_(Gustlin)/01%3A_Introduction_to_Women_Artists/1.02%3A_Interconnections_of_History_and_Art
The values of Arts Education. Art for Life’s Sake | American Academy of Arts and Sciences. (n.d.). https://www.amacad.org/publication/case-for-arts-education/section/3#:~:text=Arts%20education%20also%20imparts%20valuable,teach%20collaboration%2C%20and%20increase%20confidence.
GREENSBORO COLLEGE ART COLUMN 