The Geometry of Art and Life

Ghyka leads the reader through the incredible diversity of the ever-present Golden Ratio in art, architecture, and biology. The 9 chapters are arranged in a kind of progression, covering these topics:1. Proportion, Rhythm, Architecture is “frozen music”2. Golden Section (phi), esthetic rectangles, Fibonacci series ratios3. Regular and Star polygons, Great Pyramid, Sublime Triangle4. Pythagorean solids, 13 Archimedian semi-regular solids, 4-d hypersolids5. Shapes that fill a plane or 3-d space, asymmetry and energy states6. Logarithmic spiral growth, life’s pentagonal symmetry, human proportions7. Gothic Master Diagram, how mason’s marks relate to phi diagrams8. Harmonic Analysis of some examples of Sculpture, Architecture, Painting9. Dynamic Symmetry and Cubism, Pointillism, FunctionalismOverall, the text is straightforward, the math is no more complex than high school courses, and the principles are illustrated with abundant photos. The hardest task for the reader is visualizing some of the complex diagrams, but one can skim or glance at the difficult ones and still follow the text.Although a few of the asides about least action and other principles appear to be outdated, there are several eternal insights. The one that impressed me most was his thorough explanation of 5 as the key to living organisms whose cellular growth is by “intussusception” (from the inside outward) while 6 is the key to inorganic matter whose crystals grow by agglutination (additions to the outside of the structure).This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how math links the human mind and the physical universe.

This excellent book, written in 1946, still remains in print, and for good reason. Ghyka shows mathematically that objects in nature are not randomly formed, but all have regularity and harmony.Beginning with the concepts of ratio and proportion in the plane, the Golden Section, and then to regular polygons and geometric shapes in 3 dimensions, Ghyka demonstrates these patterns with simple algebra and geometry, and plenty of diagrams.He explains the logarithmic spiral and its role in harmonious growth in nature, with photographs and diagrams. He shows how ancient builders used the Golden Section in their architecture and in their art. This book is a wonderful weaving of philosophy, mathematics and science, covering a lot of ground, and is very well-written. It is nothing like trying to wade through H.M.S. Coxeter! This book would be a fine companion to Cook's "The Curves of Life," fleshing out the concepts presented there.This little book is a gem -- there is a tremendous amount of information packed into its 174 pages, yet it is understandable to the layperson. And it is aptly titled. It truly is about "The Geometry of Art and Life."If you are one of those observant persons who is looking for a more detailed understanding of the underlying patterns in nature, art and architecture, and you don't mind spending a little time going through some simple algebra and geometry, this is the book for you.

Amazing book if you’re looking for quick cheat math for practical application in building orgone accumulators to the. Also a great stepping stone in understanding mathematical harmonies within man mad structures. As above, so below sorts of stuff. This book covers everything from classical art, architecture, cymatics and geometric harmony within nature. I’d say the secular scientist and spiritual adventurer all could gain something useful from this book. I have yet to check the math, though. I’ll update this review if/when I do.

Is there a mathematical system on which life is built? And if so, can that Geometry of Life be a foundation for the Geometry of Art?The first 86 pages delve into the mathematical theory behind such concepts as ratio, the Golden Ratio (~1.618), shapes/polygons in 2- and 3-dimensions (square, triangle, hexagon, cube, tetrahedron, etc.), crystal packing (e.g., to minimize surface potential energy). The remainder of the book applies the Golden Ratio, the polygons, etc., to human form (face and body), nature, architecture, the arts, etc.Many question much of what Ghyka presents, with the simpler answer to be found that if you measure enough things, ratios approaching the Golden Ratio will be found. An architect might find the concepts herein useful, although an artist may find them to be a tad dry/repetitive. I gave 3 stars as it is an interesting treatise on the Golden Ratio, etc., but an artist might be better served by just remembering the Rule of Thirds and other common compositional approaches.

The Geometry Of Art And Life by Matila Ghyka is an interesting book that pertains primarily to ancient information regarding the fiine arts. Geometry unites all aspects of this book. All aspects of geometry are utilized to manage the organic and inorganic in time and space.