Teacher Portal:
Science and Art
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CELL
During this CELL, students will explore two of the key components of art: perspective and symmetry. Their exploration will include an investigation of how humans perceive depth as well as how artists portray depth and a feeling of three dimensions on a two-dimensional medium. In addition, students will discover symmetry as conceptualized in science, math, and art.
Students begin their exploration by comparing the appearance of parallel lines near and far from them. In doing so, they will find that parallel lines appear to merge as they move into the distance. This phenomenon involves events that occur at the eye as well as the interpretation of those events by the brain. As a result of these events, objects appear more narrow and shorter as they move away from the eye. Artists during the Renaissance made use of this knowledge creating vanishing points in their paintings. The result was the appearance of depth and three-dimensional images on a two-dimensional canvas.
During their Investigations, students will have the opportunity to compare artwork from before and after the Renaissance in order to observe the difference that vanishing points and adherence to the principles of perspective make in the appearance of objects. In addition, students will be challenged to apply what they have learned by creating a drawing that uses these same principles to portray a feeling of depth.
Students add to their knowledge of perspective by focusing on the aspect of perspective known as point of view. Through their experiments they come to realize that the description and appearance of objects depends on a person’s point of view and that even though many people may view the same object, their description of it may differ as a result of a difference in the point of view. This concept is one of the basic tenets of art and artists whose work presents to viewers the artists point of view.
Finally, students complete their exploration of art and science with a focus on symmetry and balance. Through experiments they learn that symmetry can be applied to inanimate objects, living organisms and works of art. And although there some differences in how symmetry is defined in each field, students discover that similarities between the two disciplines also exist.
Science and Art: Investigation 1 - Discovering Perspective
Investigation One guides students toward observing differences in the width of an object at positions near and far from the eye. Students are challenged to discover how this phenomenon relates to our perception of depth including events that occurs in the eye and in the brain. Their exploration includes how artists utilize this information to create believable three-dimensional images on flat, two-dimensional surfaces.
Science and Art: Investigation 2 - Perspective and Dimensions
During Investigation Two, students will again focus on the appearance of objects near and far from the eye. Their investigation includes observance of differences in the field of view and visual angles for objects at different locations from the eye. Students use their discoveries to consider how artists used vanishing points and manipulations of object dimensions in their artwork to portray a feeling of depth.
Science and Art: Investigation 3 - Different Perspectives
Investigation Three encourages students to consider how point of view relates to perspective. Their experiments center around the description of the appearance and location of three objects from differing points of view. As a result of their observations students discover that the same object may appear differently to each person and that appearance is directly related to his or her point of view.
Science and Art: Investigation 4 - Exploring Symmetry
Investigation Four focuses on symmetry as defined in biological science and in art. Students are challenged to determine if objects exhibit bilateral or radial symmetry and how these types of symmetry relate to the symmetry portrayed in art. Students complete the Investigation with an opportunity to view various works of art and to create their own.
Science and Art: Investigation 5 - Performance Assessment
This Performance Assessment challenges students to apply the concepts of point of view and perspective to several exercises of mirror images. Using skills mastered from the investigations, students will demonstrate their knowledge of these concepts.
