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Art and Science
The art in science and the science in art is very interesting to me.
After a fine arts "major" in high school, I put my brushes on a shelf and obtained undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and General Science. It was during that time I developed a poetic love for science. "Differential Equations" was one of my electives, as I learned about the the universal language of mathematics and the sheer wonder of nature.
I went on to study medicine at the University of Florence, Italy. I did a number of years there leading toward Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. As my career progressed, I became progressivey more isolated and unhappy. I dropped out prior to taking the Hippocratic oath.
Feeling rather guilty about leaving med school after all those years of study, I attended a special exhibit of DaVinci notebooks (on loan from the National Gallery of London) at the Palazzo Vecchio in 1984. I really went to make my apologies to my idol, Leonardo.
A tour guide was telling a small group about Leonardo and his passion for both science and art. I listened in as she explained that he would frequently flip from one job to another - from engineering to scuplture, mathematics to painting - often to the dismay of his patrons who would be stuck with incomplete work!
I felt deeply and profoundly understood.
My teacher now, George Passantino, warns against over-analyzing. He likes to quote Sorolla who said something like "If I can't paint fast, I don't paint!"
Still, the underpinnings of beauty can be analyzed. I like to call my methodology "Alla prima dopo" which translates into "At first after" or, for me, "Spontaneous brushwork after careful design."
Thanks to you - the designers and members of this forum - I feel understood once again!
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