Art & Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light

by Leonard Shlain

Paperback, 2007

Call number

701 SHL

Collection

Nonfiction

Genres

Publication

William Morrow Paperbacks (2007), 496 pages

Description

Art interprets the visible world. Physics charts its unseen workings. The two realms seem completely opposed. But consider that both strive to reveal truths for which there are no words--with physicists using the language of mathematics and artists using visual images. In Art & Physics, Leonard Shlain tracks their breakthroughs side by side throughout history to reveal an astonishing correlation of visions. From the classical Greek sculptors to Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns, and from Aristotle to Einstein, artists have foreshadowed the discoveries of scientists, such as when Monet and Cezanne intuited the coming upheaval in physics that Einstein would initiate. In this lively and colorful narrative, Leonard Shlain explores how artistic breakthroughs could have prefigured the visionary insights of physicists on so many occasions throughout history. Provicative and original, Art & Physics is a seamless integration of the romance of art and the drama of science--and an exhilarating history of ideas.… (more)

Subjects

Art Philosophy

Physics Influence

User reviews

LibraryThing member SquirrelTao

This is a unique book, written by a doctor, who wanted to be able to teach his daughter her own culture, through its art. He found that when he drew parallels between art and physics, he could unlock the meanings in the art museums, meanings that were so opaque to his child - and to him, as well.

As he set about to learn what the artists could be trying to say, he wrote a fascinating book of the history of parallels between artistic and scientific advances in the West.

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LibraryThing member armyofbobs

Learned a ton about physics, and art in one shot. While it may not be entirely accurate all the way, and the thesis is a stretch - it made me interested in Physics and Art - something I wasn't before reading this book and for that I'll always remember this as a game changer for me.

LibraryThing member damefrank

I will contemplate this author's perception the rest of my life. Illuminating me to the concept of all time existing simultaneously via introduction to artists and scientists. Which comes first...art or science? Leonard illustrates how perfectly logical that the artist 'sees' and projects. Then

science steps in to prove the experience of the artist. Visions and evolution advance humankind!

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LibraryThing member Kamaka

I read this when it was first published. I remember how much I enjoyed the adventure through time, space and light--the author delivered on the promise held in the title of the book. Now, some 18 years later I find myself returning to this book as I prepare my Thesis for Grad School. Few books

really pass the test of time, especially books treating datable material such as science; however, the theries and ideas the author presents in Art and Physics hold.

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LibraryThing member mykl-s

Its refreshing to see a book open to the idea that science and art can live together in our minds.

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