History and Pedagogy of Mathematics connected by

Artwork

Lina Wu, PhDBorough of Manhattan Community College

CUNYlinawupaul@gmail.com

Mathematics-History-Artwork

• Math concepts such as numbers, symbols, shapes, and patterns can be found in artwork as visual interpretation.

• Math theorems and math ideas have been applied during the process of designing and constructing artwork.

• Math symbols, geometric shapes, and math skills have been used as a special tool to record historical artwork.

Sacred Geometry (11th-15th Centuries)

Sacred Geometry is geometry of religious art.

Sacred Geometry is the geometry used in designing and constructing religious structures such as religious monuments, churches, temples.

Symbolic and sacred meanings are presented by certain geometric shapes.

Images of Sacred Geometry

Geometric Shapes circles, triangles, squares and polygons

• 3 Concentric Circles-past, present, future (time)• Triangle-heaven, earth, man (3 dynamic actions)• Square-north, south, east, west (4 directions)

Geometric Ratios & Logarithmic Spiral

Mathematics & Renaissance Art (14th-17th Centuries)

In the Renaissance (the period in Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries), mathematics knowledge was found in the creation of Renaissance western art in sculpture, painting, architecture and other fields.

Golden Ratio & Sculpture

Mathematics &Renaissance Architecture

Mathematics & Chinese Style Art

Chinese lucky numbers and symbols are an influence in the creation of Chinese style historical artwork.

9-Longevity8-Prosperity6-Success3-Growth ( beginning, middle, and end)4-Death

Lucky Numbers 9,8,6,3 in Chinese Style Art

Pedagogy of Mathematics

• To Introduce the pedagogy that uses art as a pathway to facilitate math teaching and learning, especially in geometry curriculum

• To incorporate the visual skills into math skills

as image-based learning

Example of Geometry Curriculum

Introduce geometric features from art pictures Illustrate geometric theory by using artwork as

applicationCreate pedagogy of mathematics from an art

museum multiple-visit program Encourage student to explore geometry in life

and create personal art design by applying geometric knowledge

Expected Outcomes

• To enhance instructor’s efficiency in teaching by integrating visual literacy in math education.

• To enhance student’s math ability of comprehension, cognition, categorizing, critical thinking, and numerical information-analyzing by finding math knowledge in artwork.

• To overcome student’s math anxiety by developing aesthetics in math learning as relaxation technique