I’ve been reading up on René Descartes, the philosopher/mathematician. The guy who had a whole coordinate system named after him, as he provided the link between algebra and geometry on which the later Cartesian system was based. (The name he took, in Latin publications, was Cartesius)
I can’t say that I was much of a fan of him when I was first studying maths, but I have become more interested over time, mostly through the practical applications of his works that I use constantly in Cad drawing software. At the corner of the screen in which I work (the AutoCad image above,) there is always an x,y axis to remind me that I’m working in Cartesian space.
I’m reading his text Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason, and Seeking Truth in the Sciences. My work has mined the cross as a motif before, so I’ve turned to the master for some inspiration, sparked off by the axis (and the AutoCad crosshairs don’t hurt) that I see so often.
Melissa Cameron
Melissa is a jewellery artist from Australia living in Seattle in the US. Her works can be found in the National Gallery of Australia as well as the Cheongju City Collection in South Korea. Her enamel works typically display subtle enamel incursions amidst precise laser cut stainless steel layers.
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It’s fascinating to go back and research the things that become ubiquitous in our lives. They all have a starting point and inception somewhere, then get to the point that we couldn’t imagine our lives before that pivotal application of rational and logic that then tame, frame and shape our perception of our surroundings.
Hi Melissa, I too was intrigued by Descartes and the connection between his mathematical world and the digital interface of the screen, as developed by Graeham Sutherland at MIT. Also the development of rules of perspective during the Renaissance. The book Art and Illusion, by Gombrich and published by Dover London, I think, is well worth a read.
I’m a big fan of Gombrich, I found his ‘Sense of Order’ really useful during my MFA, and since. I’m yet to pick up Art and Illusion, but I will have to find a copy now. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi, Melissa,
I am also intrigued by Descartes, sharing your interest in geometrical form and of course, drawing with vector paths. I love drawing with vectors; there is nothing rigid or cold, just beautiful curves and dynamic lines. All of my work begins by reading, mainly poets and philosophers whose work resonates with my interests and personal circumstance. Most recently I have been exploring the writing of Walter Benjamin, a fascinating collection of thoughts and a very strange and eccentric mind. Amazing, still so much to do and think about.