An Attempt to Combine Mathematics and Visual Arts A Research on Islamic Geometric Patterns

Abstract: In this thesis work I try to explain the ways in which I attempted to combine mathematics and visual arts by utilizing Islamic geometric patterns. The thesis starts with the reasons why I chose to work with Islamic geometric patterns. It continues with a chapter about the mathematical aspects of Islamic geometric patterns in order to give the reader a technical view on Islamic geometric patterns. In the following chapter, I explain my first two projects at C:Art:Media, Trifinity and Earthly. Afterwards I discuss in detail my degree project Iduk. Finally, the thesis ends with a conclusion about my utilization of Islamic geometric patterns in my attempt to combine mathematics and visual arts. My primary reasons for working with Islamic geometric patterns are two-fold. First, they include both mathematical and artistic aspects, and second, they contain a vast amount of symbolism that I can utilize for my projects. During my projects the symbolic aspect of my works has changed; the symbolic language in my projects evolved form an abstract and ancient language of symbols to a language of more dynamic, current and mundane symbols. To utilize Islamic geometric patterns in my investigation on how to combine mathematics and visual arts, my methodology was to use these patterns in my projects. In each of my projects, I used Islamic geometric patterns in different ways and observed the results. Moreover, I tried both digital and traditional media to create my projects. I explained my first two projects Trifinity and Earthly by discussing my inspirations for the projects, my intentions with the projects and the project’s mathematical and technical background. For my degree project Iduk, I explained in detail my inspirations, the change of symbolic aspects in my work and the creation process of the project.