Art is a creative expression of an individual which has the ability to communicate human thoughts. Mathematics and art are related in numerous ways. Mathematics and Art both need reasoning skills. Mathematics can be recognized in arts such as music, dance, painting, architecture, sculpture, pottery making and textiles.
Art integration is an approach to teaching in which students actively take part in learning through an art form. It engages students which trigger their creativity connecting Math with art attaining objectives in both. Students enjoy participating in art activities. There are many activities we can incorporate in teaching Math using Art.
Art integrated learning is a creative and constructive teaching-learning approach. It signifies exploration of academic content and skill sets to be acquired by a student through the lens of various art forms.
Tribal Art is often based on geometric shapes and figures and is seen in multiple cultures all around the world.
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Mandala Art : The term Mandala is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “Circle”. The Mandala art can be a highly meditative practice.
Sri Yantra of ancient times have been created by a central 14-angles seal polygon. The seal is composed of nine big triangles which results in 43 small triangles, where we can teach every property of triangles.
Spirograph is a geometric device that is used for creating drawings with a fixed circle resulting in beautiful artwork.
Art Integration is a powerful tool in the hands of teachers to help students learn. Its main aim is to engage students in a creative learning process by making associations between two subjects.
The Warli Painting of Maharashtra and Saura Painting of Odisha which is visually similar to Warli painting reflecting their culture and myths has many more mathematics in it. It has geometrical shapes like lines, triangles, circles etc., which are used for creating the magnificent scenery or to explain numerous concepts.
One of the traditions in India to draw Rangoli in the entry of every house is an excellent art work and drawing Mehendi which involves geometrical patterns and applied concepts of symmetry.
Weaving is another art form which are good illustrations of right angled triangles which occur naturally because of symmetries enforced by the weave. In weaving, with repeating patterns you can create secondary patterns and tessellations.
Jewellery making is an important area of craft where we can integrate math with creative designs of symmetry, shapes and geometric patterns,
Tala or Bol in Tabla and Jathis in Carnatic music, has rhythmic syllables involving combinations of numbers which creates interest for the students.
Dance requires the use of some mathematical terms and topics indirectly especially when dealing with Music and rhythm, formation(shapes), movements executed, spatial organisation(symmetry) etc.,
In Ballet, dancers create circles while executing pirouette(a rapid whirling or full turn on the toe) and rond de jambe(circular movement of the leg).
In Bharatanatyam, math concepts penetrate in aduvus or footwork which is largely based on geometric patterns, deciding which pattern precedes which is an area. It enhances the aesthetic appeal of the dance. Arithmetic progression is a concept used most often which creates a piece of talam which should have pauses, stresses at a precise moment.
Tessellations in nature is an excellent art work integrating math in it.
So, the CLASSROOMS would take no time to turn into ART studios when we integrate Mathematics and make learning more interesting for students. This we have experimented in our school and found it makes students love math and not consider it as a challenging subject.