Michael Field, Martin Golubitsky – Symmetry in Chaos. A Search for Pattern in Mathematics. Art and Nature

Description

Mathematical symmetry and chaos come together to form striking, beautiful color images throughout this impressive work, which addresses how the dynamics of complexity can produce familiar universal patterns.

The book, a richly illustrated blend of mathematics and art, was widely hailed in publications as diverse as the New York Review of Books, Scientific American, and Science when first published in 1992. This much-anticipated second edition features many new illustrations and addresses the progress made in the mathematics and science underlying symmetric chaos in recent years; for example, the classifications of attractor symmetries and methods for determining the symmetries of higher dimensional analogues of images in the book. In particular, the concept of patterns on average and their occurrence in the Faraday fluid dynamics experiment is described in a revised introductory chapter.

The ideas addressed in Symmetry in Chaos have been featured at various conferences on intersections between art and mathematics, including the annual Bridges conference, and in lectures to art students at the University of Houston.

Symmetry in Chaos features 100+ illustrations, including 54 computer-generated color images.

Review

Full of beautiful pictures. If Socrates had been able to interrogate Dr. Field and Dr. Golubitsky, his search for wisdom might have ended right there….Takes the reader with no previous knowledge through an impressive array of topics. –American Journal of Physics

‘An impressive and beautiful exploration of an impressive and beautiful area of mathematics – the interplay between order and chaos. The images are breathtaking, the mathematics fundamental. Symmetry in Chaos is an important book, a work of art, and a joy to read.’ –Ian Stewart, author of Why Beauty is Truth

‘A classic in the interdisciplinary field of art and mathematics, this very well written book takes the ingenious idea of combining symmetry with chaos to construct stunning images that anyone can enjoy, in particular mathematicians, who can also appreciate the underlying mathematics. Beautiful art cannot be the result of just clever computer graphics. The artist must also have a keen sense of color and that intangible artistic sensibility, which is present in Symmetry in Chaos. Anyone interested in the relationship of art and mathematics should read this book.’ –Nat Friedman, Director, International Society of the Arts, Mathematics and Architecture

Book Description

A striking full-colour book which explores how combining symmetry and chaos can lead to the construction of remarkable images. This book is an engaging look at the interplay of art and mathematics, and between symmetry and chaos. The underlying mathematics involved in the generation of the images is described.