Intertwining the arts and sciences to stimulate a creative mind

Abstract

From the basic motion of a simple pendulum, which acts as a tool that turns a blank canvas into pure abstract art, this particular concept has been applied to science-related art to showcase its tremendous impact on scientific, psychological and educational fields. The Art and Science Program is a collaborative artistic program between the committees from the Chemical and Energy School of Engineering, UTM, and Sekolah Tun Fatimah (STF), with the aim of examining the impacts of the rotational motion of the pendulum which can generate mesmerizing art on blank mahjong papers. The outcome of the art has been influenced by various factors, such as the viscosity of the paint used, the flowrate of the paint drip, the velocity of the paint-pendulum-modelled dripper, the position of the release point, and the motion of the dripper arising from the resultant force of multiple interacting forces. By showing the interconnections between pendulum motion, gravitational force, potential and kinetic energies, and the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, artistic abstract paintings can be created from the science of mechanics. Intertwining the arts and sciences that has been the main focus of this program can garner greater appreciation, even embraced, as it results in a significant effect on the development of both creative and critical thinking among the participants and committees.