Creating the next generation of revolutionary products involves the marriage of artistry and engineering innovations. Many people believe that art and engineering are two separate entities and does not meet in the same sentence. However, the changing need for aesthetic elements in innovation is beginning to take notice due the consumer demand for both a functional piece of product and beautiful home display. In order to have a clear understanding of how the integration process takes, it is important to discuss the critical aspects that define art and engineering phenomenon.
Forms and Style of Art
The definition of art encompasses different styles and form, paintings, dance, poetry, music, and sculpture are typical forms of art. These forms also encompass different categories, for example, paintings have different sub-forms such as cubism, realism, minimalism, and or abstract. Figurative art on the other hand uses human form and or other living things as art influences. This form has been around in for thousands of years as observed in many relics found in the Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian civilizations. Nature and other inanimate objects were also found to have demonstrated significant influence in creating aesthetically substantial works of art (Coote and Shelton). Bugs and animal figures were used to create monuments that symbolize great feats of engineering. One of the most prominent pieces of engineering in the ancient times is the great Pyramids of Egypt, which apart from its perfect geometric assemblage also encompasses a symbolic artistic taste of the ancient Egyptians. In the modern era, an example of engineering marvel that also boasts impressive aesthetic characteristic is the Empire State Building in New York City. In general, art is an aesthetic expression in which the principles can also be applied to engineering
Engineering Phenomena
Engineering is defined as a branch of science that constitutes creative concerns in technology, building, design, use of machines, structures, and machines. Engineering is primarily the driver of human civilization’s progressive existence. This field of science is deals with creation and innovation. It has been widely influential in the building of great civilizations such as the Pyramid of Egypt, which is among the ancient monument that puzzles engineers for its geometric accuracy. The same can be said with the hanging gardens of Babylon, which also displays a great feat of engineering and a serious deal of aesthetic artistry. In the modern era, engineering still amazes the people with its continued contribution to human progress. Genetics paved the way for producing extremely disease resistant crops. On the construction side of engineering, skyscrapers dwarf each other every time, but among the most popular modern examples of great engineering is the Burj in Dubai (Corning). This piece of building demonstrates every aspects of engineering starting from finding a solution to build the structure on a reclaimed land using the friction principles observed in sand. For example, the surface area of each sand particle is coarse enough stop movement particularly in combination with tons of sand particles. In addition, the engineers of the Burj have also found a way to fight the other elements of nature such as the waves of the water by lining the base of the structure with round concretes that will break the waves of the sea, which reduces the force of water hitting the foundation of the entire building.
Integration or Art and Engineering into a Product
Given the definitions describing art and engineering from examples from the ancient monuments to the modern structures, it is apparent that art and engineering could actually work together. For this project, a miniature fountain will be constructed, but it is important that the fountain itself will demonstrate integration of artistry and engineering. Shooting graceful arcs of water in a small foyer fountain is a great addition to a contemporary and luxurious home. However, in order to create the most impressive work of art and engineering in a small scale indoor fountain is to create laminar flows. It is defined as water flow that is clear, luminous, glass-like, and turbulent free. Jets of water coming out of the fountain tubes tend to become turbulent because of pressure needed to push the water at a jet speed to form an arc. Making the water come out and create what looks like bent glass rods encompass engineering principles. To achieve this amazing effect, the water flow should be regulated with the use of special nozzle that creates streamline flow that is free from turbulence. A systematic procedure of making a model of laminar fountain will be provided upon request.
The principles of laminar flow in building the fountain are the application of fluid mechanics. Three factors need to be considered in ensuring that the water coming of the fountain nozzle resembles laminar characteristics such as characteristics of fluid, speed, and shape of the surface where the water will be landing. Viscosity is a major factor in determining the speed of water flow. Since the fluid to be used in the fountain is plainly water, the thickness of the fluid will not be a problem particularly in applying jet speed to make the water flow consistently. The key in streamlining the flow of the water is to bring the flow into layers, but maintaining speed. When the water comes out of the nozzle in a single layer, the turbulence building up in the flow will make the water burst out as it passes out of the nozzle (moz.ac.at). However, putting layers in between the way of the water before it comes out would be able to eliminate the turbulence out of the flow while maintaining the same speed, which will give a nice arcing flow that will look like a glass rod.
Works Cited
Coote, Jeremy, and Anthony Shelton. "Anthropology, Art, and Aesthetics." Oxford: Clarendon Press (1992): n. pag. Print.
Corning, Do. "Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai." Case Study (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.dowcorning.com/content/publishedlit/62-0799C-01.pdf>.
Moz.ac.at. "Fluid Dynamics - Factors that influence flow, Laminar and turbulent flow." Mozarteum. moz.ac.at, 2006. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.moz.ac.at/sem/lehre/lib/pd-sounddesign/fluid-dynamics.html>.
Sauer, John. "Combining Art and Engineering - The Essence of Beauty - Innovation Guy | BSA LifeStructures." Healthcare Architect | Higher Education and Laboratory Design | Engineering | BSA LifeStructures. bsalifestructures.com, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.bsalifestructures.com/blog/innovationa-guy/combining-art-and-engineering-the-essence-of-beauty>.
