Not for the faint of art. |
Complex Numbers A complex number is expressed in the standard form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is defined by i^2 = -1 (that is, i is the square root of -1). For example, 3 + 2i is a complex number. The bi term is often referred to as an imaginary number (though this may be misleading, as it is no more "imaginary" than the symbolic abstractions we know as the "real" numbers). Thus, every complex number has a real part, a, and an imaginary part, bi. Complex numbers are often represented on a graph known as the "complex plane," where the horizontal axis represents the infinity of real numbers, and the vertical axis represents the infinity of imaginary numbers. Thus, each complex number has a unique representation on the complex plane: some closer to real; others, more imaginary. If a = b, the number is equal parts real and imaginary. Very simple transformations applied to numbers in the complex plane can lead to fractal structures of enormous intricacy and astonishing beauty. |
Today's Revisited comes from 2009 (again), and concerns music and art. Unfortunately, some of the links are no longer valid. "Sniff" There's a band from England called Sniff 'n' The Tears. You may not have heard of them. In fact, I'd be really surprised if you know who the hell I'm talking about. And unless you've been following my blog for that long, you still probably haven't heard of them. Until now. Still one of my favorite bands. Point is, as it turns out, the band did other music. Quite a few albums, actually. Here's one you don't hear: And this is the first problem. There's a video embedded there, still, but it's not Sniff 'n' The Tears. It's some band I never heard of, in a clear case of cosmic cockery. I have no memory whatsoever of which song I posted back then, so I found one on YouTube that I like, for an example: Then I talked about the frontman's other accomplishment (which should make me hate him): Bonus: The lead singer, Paul Roberts, is also an accomplished painter. Most of their album covers, he painted. Here's a link to his art (WARNING! Artistic nudity): http://www.paulrobertspaintings.co.uk/ I also linked a particular image from that collection, which, sadly, no longer seems to be available. Still, lots of other great paintings there. Including at least some of the album covers. I knew I should have bought that print of Red Riding Hood and the Wolf when I had the chance. Dammit. |