Just Keep Math Out of It…

When I was an undergraduate student in art school I happened to mention to one of my classmates that I thought art was connected to every other discipline. He agreed with me until I mentioned math. For some reason this idea challenged his beliefs about art. Unable to reconcile the connection between math and art, he changed the subject. Oddly enough, this isn't that uncommon, as I've discovered both as an educator and an artist. Educators seem particularly resistant to the notion that art connects with every discipline in any significant way. Math is, perhaps, the most commonly misunderstood interdisciplinary content area of them all.

Hamid Naderi Yeganeh

Linear Perspective and Beyond

During the Renaissance Era Filippo Brunelleschi set about to accurately portray the Cathedral of Florence, so he conducted an experiment that led to the development of one point perspective. Of course, this was not the first time math was used to create works of art. In Ancient Greece, sculptors were fascinated with proportion. They used the Golden Ratio to sculpt life size human sculptures that represented idealistic beauty that we still find pleasing today. Even as we move into modern times, artists regularly use math to create works of art, basing their work on such principles as pattern, proportion, and balance. Utilizing line, shape, space, and form, artists regularly engage in mathematical reasoning to create compositions that appear harmonious and unified.

Math Figures Into More Than You Think

Most obviously, math is recognized in architecture and industrial arts, technology, and graphic design. But what about the artist who bases artwork on math itself? I discovered one such artist in my research and thought his concept was innovative, while maintaining high artistic merit. Hamid Naderi Yeganeh uses mathematical formulas to draw real-life objects, shapes, and animations. He uses different approaches to achieve his artwork: in the first approach he uses computer technology to select shapes and from mathematical formulas, often seeing birds, sailboats, and random shapes, in the second, he deconstructs existing shapes in a step-by-step process, often using trigonometry to form the underlying basis for the artwork. These intricate works of art demonstrate high artistic quality and a mathematician's level of thinking. I would challenge even the most skeptical people to dissemble this art-math relationship!

Why We Need Medical Illustrators

About this Site

https://katviz.press/about-this-site/embed/#?secret=a3L1ivptej

Digital Art: Is Technology Really Art?

https://katviz.press/digital-art-is-technology-really-art/embed/#?secret=6s9ln2QmXa

What Leonardo Knew About the Heart and Why it Matters

Anatomical drawing is a typical staple of the art student's education at the college level. Understanding the fundamental structure of the human body is required in order to create figurative works of art. Leonardo da Vinci is revered for his advanced studies of human anatomy, particularly the skull, torso, spine, and hands. He is also, more recently recognized for his extensive and accurate studies of the human heart. What is so fascinating about his work is the fact that he was able to construct a working model of the heart in order to test his theory about how blood moved through the valves and chambers. His ability to grasp this concept pre-dates modern medical technology by about five hundred years. Although he did not fully understand all of human anatomy, this achievement, among others makes his scientific acuity among the best of all time.

Visiting the Capital Building. Dear Congress: actions speak louder than words. Recently my family visited Washington DC. We decided to visit the “People's House.” After securing a tour, reading the security directions carefully, and walking in the excessive heat, we finally made it to the Capital Building. That's when we discovered the logistical confusion awaiting us. A Surprising Welcome. We used the Welcome to the Capital section of the website to make sure everything went smoothly, but alas, luck wasn't on our side. As we trekked up to the Capital grounds, the directions to the Visitor Center were unclear. We eventually figured out where to go. However, due to the heat and because we didn't bring water, we arrived dehydrated. After all, the security pre-check directions advised against bringing any liquids. Again, because we weren't sure where to go, we went to the wrong line. At this point, our first human interaction at the Capital Building occurred. I Hope That Man Doesn't Shoot Us. To be clear, a man dressed in military clothes, armed with an assault rifle, pointed his gun towards us. Then he told us to get into a different line. Meanwhile, two other employees drank ice cold water, while directing visitors to throw away their water. Needless to say, this unusual introduction to the “People's House,” was disconcerting. I wanted to take a picture with my cell phone, but I thought, “I really don't want that man to shoot me today.” I also had to think about my twelve year old son, and the rest of my family who might get hurt or injured because the man with the assault rifle felt “unsafe.” Truly, these actions, spoke louder than any words described on the “Welcome to the Capital” website. Congress and Security Like any other Federal Building, people go through a security check. However, if you're lucky, you might get chosen for an extra level of security by going through the full body scan machine. It's quite the spectacle. In full view of all the other visitors, the chosen ones enter the scanner. At this point, they spread their arms and legs into an X formation. After security is satisfied that these visitors aren't a threat, they can pass through to the Visitor Center. Of course, one of the people in my group was a “chosen one.” Keep in mind, we read the directions ahead of time to avoid being a security problem, so why one of us was chosen is anybody's guess. Indeed, we learned that in Congress actions speak louder than words. It appeared as though the people cannot be trusted in the “People's House.” Inside the Visitor Center. Once inside the Visitor Center, an employee greeted us and asked if we had a scheduled tour. Although we scheduled our tour in advance, we could choose to start early because the walk up line was empty. We decided to join an earlier tour so we could eat lunch a little bit sooner. Eventually, we ended up in line with about thirty other visitors. Our guide handed us head phones and radio receivers because of the excessive noise in the building. Our next stop, the auditorium. Congress Tells Its Story. All told, about one hundred fifty or so people filed into the auditorium in the Visitor Center. Once inside, a pleasant young woman welcomed us to the building, then advised us not to video tape the presentation we were about to see. Given that the thirteen minute video, “Out of Many, One” presented glowing evidence of our democracy since Revolutionary Times, I understand the hesitation. Truly, this video evidence of our working democracy may convince children or others. In reality, a critical thinker couldn't help but see the stark opposition to truth in the portrayal of this country. Above all, this video portrays an America of wealth from shore to shore. In reality, farmlands suffer historical flooding, cities suffer classism and economic disparity, and inequality prevails in many parts of the country. The Tour. After we watched the video, we followed our tour guide out of the auditorium. Using o...

Visiting the Capital Building. Dear Congress: actions speak louder than words. Recently my family visited Washington DC. We decided to visit the “People's House.” After securing a tour, reading the security directions carefully, and walking in the excessive heat, we finally made it to the Capital Building. That's when we discovered the logistical confusion awaiting us. A Surprising Welcome. We used the, Welcome to the Capital, section of the website to make sure everything went smoothly, but alas, luck wasn't on our side. As we trekked up to the Capital grounds, the directions to the Visitor Center were unclear. We eventually figured out where to go. However, due to the heat and because we didn't bring water, we arrived dehydrated. After all, the security pre-check directions advised against bringing any liquids. Again, because we weren't sure where to go, we went to the wrong line. At this point, our first human interaction at the Capital Building occurred. I Hope That Man Doesn't Shoot Us. To be clear, a man dressed in military clothes, armed with an assault rifle, pointed his gun towards us. Then he told us to get into a different line. Meanwhile, two other employees drank ice cold water, while directing visitors to throw away their water. Needless to say, this unusual introduction to the “People's House,” was disconcerting. I wanted to take a picture with my cell phone, but I thought, “I really don't want that man to shoot me today.” I also had to think about my twelve year old son, and the rest of my family who might get hurt or injured because the man with the assault rifle felt “unsafe.” Truly, these actions, spoke louder than any words described on the “Welcome to the Capital” website. Congress and Security. Like any other Federal Building, people go through a security check. However, if you're lucky, you might get chosen for an extra level of security by going through the full body scan machine. It's quite the spectacle. In full view of all the other visitors, the chosen ones enter the scanner. At this point, they spread their arms and legs into an X formation. After security is satisfied that these visitors aren't a threat, they can pass through to the Visitor Center. Of course, one of the people in my group was a “chosen one.” Keep in mind, we read the directions ahead of time to avoid being a security problem, so why one of us was chosen is anybody's guess. Indeed, we learned that in Congress actions speak louder than words. It appeared as though the people cannot be trusted in the “People's House.” Inside the Visitor Center. Once inside the Visitor Center, an employee greeted us and asked if we had a scheduled tour. Although we scheduled our tour in advance, we could choose to start early because the walk up line was empty. We decided to join an earlier tour so we could eat lunch a little bit sooner. Eventually, we ended up in line with about thirty other visitors. Our guide handed us head phones and radio receivers because of the excessive noise in the building. Our next stop, the auditorium. Congress Tells Its Story. All told, about one hundred fifty or so people filed into the auditorium in the Visitor Center. Once inside, a pleasant young woman welcomed us to the building, then advised us not to video tape the presentation we were about to see. Given that the thirteen minute video, “Out of Many, One,” presented glowing evidence of our democracy since Revolutionary Times, I understand the hesitation. Truly, this video evidence of our working democracy may convince children or others. In reality, a critical thinker couldn't help but see the stark opposition to truth in the portrayal of this country. Above all, this video portrays an America of wealth from shore to shore. In reality, farmlands suffer historical flooding, cities suffer classism and economic disparity, and inequality prevails in many parts of the country. The Tour. After we watched the video, we followed our tour guide out of the auditorium. Usi...

What is an Immersive Museum Experience? When I visited several museums in Washington DC, my lasting takeaway was immersive experiences dominate the scene. An immersive museum experience involves all of your senses, often simultaneously. Museums, hoping to fully engage visitors and leave a lasting impression, draw visitors in by appealing to the five senses as much as possible. Indeed, many museums offer traditional displays, including artifacts and text, laying the foundation for a production extending well beyond that initial exhibition style. In addition to traditional displays, educational videos, interactive games, technology, performances, activities involving smell, and even related food enrich or overwhelm the senses. So, if you plan to visit a museum in Washington DC, expect to get an immersive experience. Madame Tussaud's Washington DC. When I planned my trip to Washington DC, I wanted to explore new and different kinds of museums. I also wanted to have fun. Certainly Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum met that criteria. In fact, I was surprised to learn that you could take pictures with the figures at this museum. I also learned that many of the figures were people created by Madame Tussaud, herself. Furthermore, at this museum, like many others, guests start their tour with an informational video to help give context to the museum and its contents. To illustrate the painstaking craftsmanship and legitimacy of this art form, Beyonce explains how the artists at the wax museum brought her figure to "life" in an educational video. In many ways, the figures, especially those originally designed by Madame Tussaud, provide important insight about the look and feel of historical figures from each era. The Phillips Collection. Housed in Duncan Phillips' former home in DuPont Circle, this museums is known as "America's First Museum of Modern Art." Because of its arrangement around a great spiral staircase, it's various theaters and small galleries, and the fact that it is a former home, this museum has a place in Washington DC for being fully immersive. The current exhibition, which focuses on human displacement and loss of home is especially poignant in this space. The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement. The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement is on view from June 22-September 22, 2019. Pulling you in with the force of the ocean, this exhibition draws attention to the current crisis of refugees and displaced people across the globe. Analogous to the spiral staircase in the museum, an oceanic theme swirls through the exhibition's various art disciplines. This intentional use of oceanic metaphor directly reflects on current issues as well as the past. Whether it's the crisis in Libya as migrants seek to traverse the Mediterranean Sea or a reminder of African American slaves brought here in ships, the life and death struggle feels real. Thus, you slowly find yourself immersed in the lives of the displaced people. Consequently, you cannot help but develop questions or simply feel an overwhelming sense of dislocation. National Museum of African American History and Culture. The National Museum of African American History and Culture or NMAAHC opened in 2017. Since that time, 5 million people have visited the museum. That incredible number speaks volumes about the popularity of the museum. One of the particularly striking aspects of the museum is the architecture. Symbolic Architecture. Designed by David Adjaye and lead architect Phillip Freelon, the building symbolizes meaning, memory, reflection, laughter, and hope. According to the museum's website, the building structure strives to incorporate the concept of a warm and welcoming porch, while also building on a capital and crown structure. The crown is fashioned after crowns used in Yoruba art. Further, the entire building is wrapped in iron latticework that allows natural light to flow into the building. This serves a dual purpose to inspire visi...

Contemporary artists and artists from the past often make significant contributions to society that influence other disciplines like engineering, science, technology, civil rights, and law among many others. Whether recognition for artists is widespread or not is debatable. In some ways, it can be challenging to make the connection between artists and other content areas. That may be because it’s not usually the main topic of discussion in classrooms or in general. Therefore, it’s understandable that people may overlook how art connects with most aspects of our lives. This site strives to change that perception by curating stories about artists, as well as including opinion articles about current events through the eyes of an artist.

I will write about how art connects with contemporary issues. These will be slightly longer, research based opinion articles. Sometimes these articles will coincide with current events. Other times, I may write about how history influences or connects with a particular contemporary art topic. You will have access to a collection of local arts and education resources, which I will create over time. I arranged the list of local resources because, quite frankly, I couldn’t find a list like this for myself! As an educator, I usually like to include a fun and/or interesting activity for people to try on their own or share with others. You can find these instructional videos in the side bar on most pages of this site. Additionally, I have a few limited edition artworks for sale in my gallery.

I hope you find something new or interesting on this site. Whether it’s an article, place to visit or learn about art, an art activity, or my gallery, thank you for visiting!

Kathleen’s Artwork available at Scholarly Artist Gallery

Why Art Matters. Art plays a role in every intellectual and practical pursuit. Consequently, this cannot be overlooked or unrecognized. Although we don’t spend a lot of time discussing it, artists have traditionally made significant contributions to numerous fields of study. Since ancient times, art has intertwined with engineering, math, science, literature, architecture, and religion. Essentially, art history and world history support each other because it is through artworks that we can understand cultures from the past. It is important to realize, art objects frequently help us understand information about sociology and archaeology. Through conducting research, I hope to illustrate the significant contribution artists make in their own and other fields of study. Therefore, I will curate and write articles about artists, contemporary issues, and history from an artist’s perspective. Articles. Generally speaking, you can look for articles on Sunday. Typically articles will tie into current events and art, but there will be a historical reference included. Recently, my articles have delved into the intellectual connection of art to a particular discipline. Additionally, since art and life often intertwine so closely, some articles focus on current events and social issues. This page is for artists, teachers, students, and art lovers as well as anyone who wants to know or suggest ways that art connects with other walks of life. . Local Art Institutions Links. Fortunately, many local institutions offer free admission and allow us to see and learn about all kinds of art in St. Louis. Because of this, I encourage you to explore the information about these institutions which are available on this site. I created this collection of art resources because I could not find a comprehensive list of places to visit and learn about art. In the meantime, please let me know about your favorite places to go see art. For an interactive experience, check out my sidebar for art activities and social media links. Finally, explore my gallery of limited edition prints in the gallery .

The Nazis Had Strict Flag Laws. On September 15, 1935, the Reich adopted the swastika as the nation’s official flag. The swastika with the traditional red, white, and black colors of Germany became synonymous with the Nazi Regime. The Nazi Swastika flag united the Nazis and denied Jewish people the right to use it. This first of the Nuremberg Laws was followed by the next two. These reduced Jewish people to second class citizens and introduced anti-miscegenation laws. These laws effectively racialized Jewish people. The Nazis knew it was necessary to introduce race into the legal system in order to separate the Jewish people from the rest of German society. What We Taught The Third Reich. They learned this from studying American Jim Crow Laws and The Immigration Act of 1924. This intentional division, a direct result of the Nuremberg Laws, paved the way for the Holocaust. A flag, followed by race based laws, were the first legal steps towards wreaking havoc and committing mass murder. We cannot ignore the significance that a propaganda symbol led the way to systematic human destruction. The people who reinforced this system of laws did so out of a true belief or fear of retribution. Historically speaking, it’s important to recognize it takes systemic ideology, sustained propaganda, and enforcement to achieve such goals. Henceforth, the swastika became a powerful symbol of unity and terror that persists to this very day, even resulting in the death of an American citizen. As recently as 2017, in Charlottesville, VA., Heather Heyer died protecting democratic ideals. Tragically, a self-proclaimed White Supremist deliberately mowed down a group of peaceful protesters with his Dodge Charger. Ironically, the American “Unite the Right Rally” was arranged to protect a propaganda symbol. A symbol that represents revisionist history about the Civil War. This is same era that inspired the real Nazis who wrote the Nuremberg Laws. Which brings me back to Colin Kaepernick. Why Do We Get So Mad?. Are you mad? It seems like everyone has an opinion about NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem. The question everyone seems to be asking is, “What are you mad about?” To me, that is a the secondary question. The primary question is actually, “Are you mad?” I think this is the primary question because Colin did expose an ugly truth about this country. He cut through the propaganda with surgical skill. I believe that is why he is being punished, questioned, isolated, lionized, and detested. In kneeling, during the National Anthem, for the people who were killed by the very government trusted to protect them, Colin held up a mirror to America. What we saw disturbed us. We saw the ugliness that we wish to ignore: ourselves. We know, inherently, that Colin symbolizes the fact that America isn’t equal for all. America cannot face its own gruesomeness, so it silenced Colin and ended his career. America vilified Colin for his symbolic protest. The way America treated Colin proved his point: we do not care about human rights in this country or anywhere else. America doesn’t stand up for all of us. America doesn’t really stand up for any of us. We accept that truth in our words, our silence, and in our actions or inaction. What Kind of Country Do We Want to Be?. Government sanctioned violence against black, brown, and poor people has consistently been with this country since its founding days. It is with us now. Certainly we see its extreme form in our criminal justice system, in the police sanctioned killing of black people, and in the separation of migrant children from their families at the US-Mexico border. We find it embedded in racially motivated, predatory mortgage loan practices that perpetuate the myth that modern racial segregation is de facto, not de jure. Notably, it appears in our hate crime statistics, which have risen sharply in the past two years. The perpetrators? White Supremists. This America cannot be justified by the flag, a son...

Trust the Lie...Find the Truth. . “Everybody’s prejudiced, it’s just how you deal with it that really matters.” Best advice from a teacher, ever. Propaganda Shapes Most Aspects of Your Life. . Trust the lie. Find the truth. This contradiction is life as we know it. It’s just so much easier to believe a lie. Who wants to face a truth that exposes a devastating truth about ourselves? Whether you realize it or not, propaganda shapes most aspects of your life. Indeed this provocative statement may seem extreme, but if you break it down, it’s easier to understand. Sometimes propaganda can be confused with advertising because they share similar characteristics. A major difference is that propaganda serves a nefarious goal intended to help the propagandist seize power. Advertising campaigns try to persuade people to buy goods or services. Propaganda tactics have been used in times of war, but exist in peacetime as well. This work, usually presented by a persuasive person, has methodology. Think of the propagandist as someone who uses various forms of attack to achieve a variety of goals. These attacks appear different and appeal to different types of people who are targeted for the propaganda campaign. My understanding is that propaganda functions as a tool to manipulate people to believe falsehoods. This in turn causes them to act in accordance with the propagandist’s agenda. (Others argue it is merely a persuasive tool. For this argument I will take the more sinister meaning to be true). The obvious attack comes first in vilifying an opponent or idea. Conversely, they use what’s known as “glittering generalities” where ideas or people are tied to positive symbols. This creates the binary choice, or foil. As the paradigm sets, the propagandist deploys other tactics. Then they draw in the reactors, and tailor the propaganda to fit each person’s needs. False connections, special appeals, and logical fallacies exist in the propagandist’s arsenal. Combined with modern media, technology, and big data collection and analytics systems, the possibilities are endless. . Visual Art and Propaganda Work Together Well . We have powerful media sources today that constantly bring us visual sources of information. Yet, even one hundred years ago, dictators wielded visual propaganda to ride to power. Through pageantry, posters, rallies, clothing, and symbolism, they conveyed their message and influenced people to follow their ways. Now, in 2019, the tools at the disposal of nation states to manipulate public opinion are astronomical. The relationship between propaganda and power fascinates me because it often relegates art to a background role. We forget that Hitler was a mediocre watercolor artist who spent time with actors and musicians. He, like current authoritarian dictators regularly make use of visual stimulation to create their image and convey their ideas. They use television and print media to repeatedly show their symbols and repeat their slogans. Propagandists exploit advertising to spread a message and embed more subtle suggestions (often referred to as ‘dog whistles’). They offer a message of hope and belonging to their chosen audience. The propagandist often makes obvious mistakes: appearing less calculated and more like a “regular” person. By using tactics like name calling and other means of undermining the credibility of political opponents, the propagandist asserts power. Having seized control of the story and the large picture, success is not a possibility: it has already happened. . Polarization Propels Propaganda . The United States is polarized on just about every issue big and small. We have allowed ourselves to be manipulated so that we exist in disparate groups that deeply mistrust each other. This didn’t happen by accident or just through visual art. However, due to media influence and the rapid growth of internet technology, people have been able to find their niches. We can comfortably trust the lies we live. We can h...

MTV ushered in the era of music experienced visually. Prophetically Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles opened our eyes. Moving forward, visual imagery and music fused together, and musicians acted accordingly. As this new art form developed, so did the opportunities for more overt and subtle forms of propaganda. Television did the same for politics, even being blamed for Richard Nixon’s loss to John F. Kennedy in 1960. These significant moments began erasing the boundaries between pop culture, politics, and propaganda. Setting us on a course to where we are today. Over time, we’ve seen how visual media can shape our world view by what is and isn’t revealed to us. Mainstream musicians, media and other institutions, like cinema, music, theater, art galleries, museums, advertising, and news media can reinforce society’s deepest underlying problems: division and mistrust. We all saw and continue to see the global impact wrought by alternative technology. Soon enough, we ll discovered that all known boundaries between politics, pop culture, social media, and the mainstream institutions had blurred beyond all recognition. Polarization is a Propagandist’s Best Friend. As I try to understand propaganda, I have more questions than answers. Do all cultures succumb to the victorious propagandist? Propaganda can’t help but create winners and losers because it is always rooted in deception. Yet, for it to work, people must be vulnerable in some way to the propaganda tactics directed towards them. For those who exploit us, division and mistrust work to their advantage. For example, right here in our country, people really don’t get along. People stubbornly refuse to compromise on any polarizing issue. In doing so, we find ourselves in separate, but discrete circles of trusted friends and family. We don’t trust people who exist outside our community. Traditionally art and music reinforce a sense of community and belonging. However, when art and music are appropriated for propaganda purposes, they become a weapon against the very people who find sanctuary within their own society. Technology Constantly Improves Propaganda . Propagandists use the powerful tools at their disposal: media and the internet. They blur the boundaries between pop culture, social media, and traditional media. In fact, in our case, pop culture propaganda works all the time. Actually, exploring how this works isn’t difficult. The first place to start is with the polarizing issues in our society. Imagine society as a tree. This symbolizes that we all share the same base. In other words, this is our nation. To represent the diversity in our nation, picture people splitting off from that base as they develop ideas about issues. Like the branches of a tree, you can see how people split off into more separate and divided sections until they become quite distant. Usually this system works for the organism, as each part has an important function ensuring its survival. Under ideal circumstances, all functions would operate smoothly. Unfortunately, threats to the tree are a more likely scenario. A possible scenario is that the leaves or branches can be attacked by a fast moving, deadly, invasive species, like the emerald ash borer for instance. For argument’s sake, let’s say the leaves and branches don’t communicate. If this represents a nation, not a tree, the invasion isn’t the emerald ash borer, it’s the internet hacker. Propaganda Depends on You!. Images flash before your eyes constantly. Don’t take them for granted. How do you see people shown in portraits, in mugshots, and in all of your favorite television shows and movies? Consider what musicians appeal to you and why. What do those musicians wear? What and who do they believe in? More importantly, ask yourself these questions: what images seem normal to you? what shows and movies do you avoid? which musicians don’t you like? who is their audience? Finally, really ask yourself “Why do I think and feel this way...