In my talk I will discuss in a manner accessible to general public the concept of abstraction, as it is understood and used in science, and in art. I will start with discussing the formal idea of abstraction based on mathematics. I will then explain the concept of modeling in physics as a process of abstraction from details toward the essence. This will include examples from a simple pendulum to quantum simulators. I will then turn to the discussion of abstraction in visual art: discussing the transition from realism, to impressionism, cubism, abstractionism, and, finally abstract expressionism.

Finally, I will turn to music and illustrate (with audio examples) the contemporary trends in music on an example of jazz: from harmonic swing, to bebop, to modal jazz, to free jazz and finally to totally free improvisation.


Friday, January 24, 2012, 12:00. ICFO’s Auditorium