Review: Art & Physics
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsA California surgeon explores the striking parallels in the evolution of Western art and science in this enlightening exploration of where ideas come from and how they enter the consciousness of a culture. Though art and science are traditionally considered antithetical disciplines--with art dependent on intuition for its development and science on logic and sequential thinking--both nevertheless rely on an initial burst of inspiration regarding the nature of reality, and in Western culture the two have followed separate but remarkably similar paths. Shlain offers detailed anecdotes from the history of Western culture--from the ancient Greeks' penchant for single-melody choruses and blank rectangles, through the fragmented art and science of the Medieval period, to modern art's redefinition of reality and the relativity revolution in science--to illustrate how major movements in art have generally preceded scientific breakthroughs based on equivalent ideas, despite the artists and scientists involved having remained largely ignorant of one another's work. Shlain's suggestion that scientists have not so much been inspired by artists but have received initial inspiration from the same source--bringing to mind the possibility of a universal mind from which such ideas spring--is an intriguing one that offers a new window through which to view the dissemination of knowledge and ideas. A fascinating and provocative discussion--slow in coalescing but worth the wait.
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Jessica - GoodreadsNot the most eloquent writer but full of ideas. A very useful interdisciplinary book, covering the vast range of Western history from the Greeks to 20th century, encompassing the development of art, physics, philosophy, music, literature and neuroscience. Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Rachel - Goodreads"Revolutionary art and visionary physics attempt to speak about matters that do not yet have words. That is why their languages are so poorly understood by people outside their fields. Because both ... Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Nidi Miller - GoodreadsT Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Nancy Werner - GoodreadsLOVE this, it's dog-eared and read through many times!! Makes my visits to museums much more profound, and my own dabblings, too. Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - 1elysium - Goodreadsto sara with the finger: i loved your review...beautiful, simply beautiful. Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Neil Fitzgerald - GoodreadsFascinating read, but a little dull. Found myself putting it down and picking it up again a lot. Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Joslyn Dmello - GoodreadsMind blowing! Boom! Your done! Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - James Mccormack - GoodreadsRead this purely by chance and I was HOOKED from page one. First time I every saw someone truly try to tie together two disparate themes. I go back to it again and again, it is so fascinating. why DO artists envision things that later become real scientific discoveries? Read full review
Review: Art and Physics: Parallel Visions in Space, Time, and Light
User Review - Andy - GoodreadsI liked the way Shlain illustrated the parallels and coincidences in the development of his two areas of focus, though he did stretch his point way past the elastic limit more than once. Also, a bit ... Read full review
