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The 13th International SIS Congress is focused on the interation between art and science, artists and scientists.
An emblematic historical interaction between a man from the sphere of art and a man of science was the interaction between N. Kazantzakis and A. Einstein.
The concept of symmetry (συμμετρία – commensurability) was shaped by the Pythagoreans of the Magna Graecia about 2500 years ago and soon became the basis of the concepts of proportionality-based harmony in the arts and architecture that underlies modern European culture. The commensurable arithmetic relations were viewed by the Pythagoreans as underpinning the universe, leading them to consider the concepts of order and harmony (ἀρμονία) as the ontological foundation of the cosmos and ratio as the basis of the musical scale.
Classical Greece is recognised as a pivotal period for the development of art and science. From the 6th to the 4th century, there was an amazing development of art and science, which is called "the Greek miracle" in historiography. It was the time of the flowering of tragedy, comedy, literature, democracy, philosophy, rhetoric, mathematics, astronomy, natural science and architecture, the appearance of mathematical proof, logical argumentation and scientific explanation. All these achievements were culminated in the 5th century in Athens.
Greek philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, explored topics ranging from metaphysics to natural science, laying the foundation for scientific rationality. Greek art, emphasising idealised forms and mathematical principles, showcased the interplay between aesthetics and mathematical proportions.
The relationship between art and science is a complex interplay that has fascinated thinkers, creators, and scholars throughout history. Although seemingly distinct disciplines, art and science are more interconnected than one might initially perceive. Art is often associated with creativity, imagination, and aesthetic expression, whereas science is characterized by logic, observation, experiment and empirical evidence. However, they form together a profound symbiotic relationship, influencing and enriching one another in ways that push the boundaries of human understanding and creativity.
Although art and science seem distinct spheres of human activity, they are interconnected in various ways. They share common threads demonstrating their mutual influence and reliance on each other.
Art draws inspiration from scientific concepts, incorporating them into artistic expressions.
Imagination, visualisation and representation are crucial in both art and science.
Artists and scientists share a focus on observation and perception to capture aspects of the world.
Inquiry, reflexion and exploration are common to art and science, pushing boundaries of human understanding and uncovering new truths.
Communication and styles of expression and thinking are crucial in art and science to convey ideas, emotions, and research findings.
Aesthetics and beauty are valued by both artists and scientists; they both appreciate the visual appeal and intuitive elegance of artistic and scientific creations, respectively.
Despite the interconnection between science and art and the fora organised worldwide nowadays to bring them together, like our SIS Congresses, historical encounters between outstanding scientists and artists are rare. Even if such an encounter happens, communication and mutual understanding are difficult to establish. Such an emblematic case is the exchange of several letters between N. Kazantzakis and A. Einstein in the early '50s. In the face of Kazantzakis, Einstein sees the Greek people who greatly suffered from the policies of the superpowers. On the other hand, in the face of Einstein, Kazantzakis views not so much the great scientist of that time, the discoverer of the theory of relativity, but rather a superior, lofty, enlightening mind.
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