Correlations between art and CFD through colour and shape

• Published in: Optics and laser technology Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 348 - 357
• Main Author: Koenig, Carola S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2011
• Subjects: Abstract art; Artists; CFD; Color; Colour; Computational fluid dynamics; Correlation; Links; Mathematical models; CFD; Abstract art; Art
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2009.08.022

Victorian stained glass artists were among the first to link vibrant colour with strong abstract geometry. This link was further exploited by artists of the early 20th century. Here may be mentioned the works of designers and artists like Mackintosh and of well-known Bauhaus group members like Klee and Kandinsky. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and art, particularly abstract art, are undoubtedly intrinsically linked not only by colour, but also by shape as often both contain regular geometries like rectangles and triangles. The use of colour has a multitude of functions in both the pre- and post-processing stages in CFD. These are discussed with an emphasis on the representation of CFD results. Moreover, modelling of fluid dynamics should be seen as but one example of numerical modelling in general. It may be that such common features between these very different metiers are the reason why the numerical modellers amongst us seem to have a natural liking for colourful abstract art. This paper investigates the correlations between art and CFD and is written from the view points of both the professional engineer and the hobby artist.