fibonacci

the fibonacci number series keeps popping up in ordinary art conversation. a retired friend of mine is into painting and not only did he tell me that fibonacci's number has been useful to his work, but that kids can learn to mark out their paintings according to this principle of aesthetics!

fibonacci's series is actually a geometric progression, "the common ratio of the series being none other than the golden ratio, Phi." (huntley, p. 145).

huntley, in his book the divine proportion, goes on to say that beauty in mathematics is a compound of several ingredients:

1) the alternation of tension and relief 2) the realization of expectation 3) surprise at the unexpected 4) the perception of unsuspected relationships 5) patterns and 6) unity in variety.

this explains not only how a nautilus shell grows (logarithmic spirals and golden triangles) but everything from the cross of lorraine's design (thank you, charles de gaulle) to the parthenon in athens. it explains phyllotaxis and leaf divergence in botany and the geometric perfection of honeycombs. not only does there exists a masterful reason behind why our eyes are drawn to things we find pleasing, but we can use it to create with as well!