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When Einstein meets Picasso...
Individually, two of the most incredible minds of the past century changed the world by demonstrating new ways to view reality. Art and science were irrevocably altered by their contributions which ignited explosions of new thinking in their respective disciplines.
In his book, Einstein Picasso, Arthur I. Miller cites many similarities about their influences. Communications, although limited in the first decade of the 20th century, were still far advanced over the previous decade. As a result, Einstein was aware of scientific breakthroughs like the discovery of radiation, x-rays, alpha, beta and gamma rays. He was also aware of new approaches to geometry which described a 4th dimension and beyond. The technology for scientific collaboration consisted of publishing papers and presenting them at conferences. These were discussed, critiqued in scientific journals, letters and university classrooms.
During the same period, Picasso, who had already mastered and become bored with the prevailing art styles, was exploring other forms of visual expression. African masks, for example, captured his imagination. He was particularly fascinated with the geometric shapes to represent multiple views of an object at the same time. Art collaboration consisted of displaying pieces in galleries. The societies, salons and newspapers provided discussion and feedback.
It could take months for communications like these to circulate throughout the science and art communities. Many observations were, no doubt, lost along the way. And communication between the science and art communities was almost non-existent.
Einstein and Picasso made their greatest breakthroughs about the same time. Both were aware of each other, though they never met. While both were exploring different approaches to understanding time, space, reality and perception, neither benefited from the other’s thought processes. Collaboration was limited by communications technology and the confines of their disciplines.
What could scientists contribute to art? What possible insight could artists provide a scientist?
In reality, Einstein’s had a playful imagination and used visualization skills to create thought experiments. He analyzed images from his dreams. His famous equation, E=MC2, was influenced by a vision of himself riding a beam of light in a dream. This was a radical departure from classical physics. It was the birth of modern science.
Picasso’s early cubist paintings, also a heretical departure from traditions of realism and impressionism, were directly related to a scientific paper he had read on 4th dimension geometry. This was a pivotal change not only for him, but an undeniable force toward modern art and many other divergent styles that followed.
Imagine if Einstein had met Picasso and they had been able to collaborate on the development of each other’s theories. Imagine if they had been able to communicate via their blogs and do their thought experiments together. Imagine how many great minds today are still stuck in silos of their respective disciplines, lacking perspectives that could propel their ideas to unimaginable new directions. It's The Medici Effect again. Add your suggestions: Who are the next Einstein and Picasso? What two great minds do you think should collaborate?
Chas Martin
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