Pythagoras Would Have Been an Instagram Influencer if He’d Discovered TikTok First: A Deep Dive into the Geometry of Art

Geometry—everyone’s favorite high school subject, right up there with “awkward lunchroom interactions” and “why-can’t-I-drop-this-elective” gym class. But before your eyes glaze over like Krispy Kreme donuts at the mere mention of angles and ratios, let me reassure you: today’s topic is about as far from your traumatic math class memories as Kanye West is from a PR win. Yes, we’re diving into the world of geometry in art and nature, because apparently, even the universe itself likes to doodle in the margins.

Now, before you check out completely to scroll through Instagram reels of cats doing nothing particularly interesting, let’s talk about how geometry isn’t just for the nerds who run math clubs and unironically wear pocket protectors. It’s actually the secret sauce behind some of the most awe-inspiring designs in nature and art. You didn’t really think all those intricate patterns in a sunflower’s head were just the result of a bored deity playing Sudoku, did you? No, my dear underachieving undergraduates, those patterns are the handiwork of the universe’s own overachiever: geometry.

Yes, geometry—the subject that gave you nightmares in high school—also happens to be the key to some of the world’s most jaw-dropping natural phenomena and artistic masterpieces. And if that doesn’t make you want to pay attention, well, nothing will. But don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through this maze of spirals, fractals, and the infamous Golden Ratio, all while holding your hand like the clueless toddlers you are.

Let’s start with the obvious: mathematical patterns in nature. Oh yes, nature’s been flaunting its geometry skills since long before humans started drawing stick figures in caves. Take fractals, for instance. These are those endlessly repeating patterns that you’ve probably seen in trees, ferns, or that one psychedelic poster your roommate has tacked to the ceiling. Fractals are nature’s way of saying, “Look, I can repeat myself infinitely and still be cooler than you’ll ever be.” They’re the geometric equivalent of a “Rick and Morty” fan endlessly quoting the show—except less annoying and more visually pleasing.

Then there’s the spiral, nature’s favorite way to show off. Think of snail shells, hurricanes, and even galaxies. Spirals are everywhere, spinning around like a confused TikToker trying to make sense of the latest dance craze. The Fibonacci sequence, the numerical code behind these spirals, is like nature’s version of a cheat code in a video game, ensuring that everything stays aesthetically pleasing no matter how dizzy it gets. And if you’re wondering how this relates to art, just wait until we get to the part where I compare Leonardo da Vinci to a modern-day social media influencer. Spoiler: it’s going to be hilarious.

Speaking of da Vinci, let’s move on to the historical use of geometry in art. Ah, the Renaissance, a time when people actually cared about learning and didn’t just pretend to listen during Zoom classes. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and M.C. Escher weren’t just painting pretty pictures; they were the original mathletes, incorporating complex geometric principles into their work like it was nobody’s business. Da Vinci’s obsession with the Golden Ratio—a number so mysterious and perfect that it’s basically the Beyoncé of mathematical constants—shows up in the proportions of everything from the Mona Lisa’s face to the Last Supper. If da Vinci were alive today, he’d probably be that one guy who can’t stop talking about the “divine” proportions of his avocado toast on Instagram.

M.C. Escher, on the other hand, took geometry and made it his plaything. His mind-bending drawings of impossible staircases and infinite loops are like the visual equivalent of trying to understand quantum physics after a night out. Escher didn’t just see the world; he saw the matrix behind the world, and he turned it into art that makes your brain do somersaults. If you’ve ever spent hours staring at an Escher print trying to figure out how it works, congratulations—you’ve just experienced the same existential crisis that most students feel in their freshman year of college.

But wait, it gets better. Let’s talk about Islamic art and geometry, because if there’s one culture that took geometry and ran with it like a kid who just stole candy, it’s Islamic art. The intricate patterns found in Islamic architectural design are like geometry on steroids. We’re talking about tiling patterns so complex that they make your high school geometry homework look like a toddler’s scribble. The combination of stars, polygons, and tessellations in Islamic art isn’t just for show; it’s a way of expressing the infinite nature of the universe, all without using any human or animal figures (because let’s face it, drawing people is hard, and geometry is way more fun).

Take the Alhambra in Spain, for example—a palace so covered in geometric patterns that it could make even a math professor break out in a cold sweat. The use of symmetry, repetition, and intricate detail in Islamic art is like watching a really good heist movie where every piece fits together perfectly, and you’re left wondering how they pulled it off. And just like that heist movie, Islamic art is all about precision, planning, and a whole lot of geometry.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “This is all very interesting, but how does this help me pass my math class?” Well, my dear intellectually challenged student, that’s where science education with art comes in. Believe it or not, geometry can actually be a powerful tool for teaching math to students who would otherwise rather be anywhere else. By using art to illustrate complex mathematical concepts, you can trick students into learning without them even realizing it—kind of like hiding vegetables in a smoothie, but for your brain.

Imagine a classroom where instead of boring lectures about angles and ratios, students are asked to create their own Escher-inspired drawings or design their own Islamic tile patterns. By engaging with geometry through art, students can develop a deeper understanding of mathematical principles without the usual headaches that come with staring at a textbook. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll even find yourself appreciating the geometry of that perfectly symmetrical avocado toast.

So, in conclusion—because yes, even I have to wrap this up eventually—let’s not forget the symbiotic relationship between mathematics and art. Whether it’s in the spirals of a sunflower, the proportions of the Mona Lisa, or the intricate patterns of Islamic art, geometry is everywhere, quietly shaping the world around us. And while you may never look at a snail shell the same way again, at least now you’ll have something interesting to talk about at your next dinner party. Or, you know, to impress your friends on social media—because if Pythagoras were around today, you can bet he’d be all over that Instagram game.