There are so many things that I have gained from being in this
class for the semester. It was a perfect class for this time in my
life and really helped me understand several things about myself At the
beginning of the semester I explained that I have always been afraid or
math and have had lots of trouble thinking in mathematical ways.
I wanted to enter the world of numbers and equations and not get so intimidated
that I wouldn't even bother to start a problem. That's what I wanted
from this class and that is what I expected. I was taken on a complete
journey in that classroom two a week. Sometimes it was frustrating
because I was asked to think about things I was not interested in exploring,
but in the long run I am so happy the challenge was given. "What
is Math?" that's a wonderful name for this course. And that's something
I am closer to understanding.
I actually look at a lot of things differently now. There has
been a level of organization to the ways I think and perceive the visual
world around me. Never before in my life have I made an effort to
apply math to the work I do on a personal level. When making visual
art for example, I would look at the whole of the piece. There was
a reorganization of the different elements of my work but now I find myself
applying detailed grids in my minds eye when looking at a piece that I
am working on. I go beyond the lessons of perspective from classical
fine art and split it up even further. That began to happen after
fractals were introduced to our class. Walking around Ithaca, I perceive
the world differently, this is where I get my inspiration for work,
instead of seeing the world as just people walking around with an area
of buildings and trees etc.; there is a world of all this similar "stuff'.
The people are energy, the plats are multi-celluar, and this is what I
think of when I am creating a piece or planning for one. It's been
such a valuable lesson that I believe only a mathematician could teach
me. There was the need to be taken out of my own world to really
enhance the world and perception that I live exist in. From this
change my dreams have become so much more vivid because I am recording
more information and different information in my brain. I just notice
more and different things it's a wonderful experience when I can wake up
in the morning and have so many new ideas! I don't have to execute
them but they just get stored for later use.
Besides the visual realm, emotionally I have gained a lot. Our
class discussions of love and caring for people have really helped me conquer
issues in my life of trust and relationships with friends and family.
I have been striving to keep myself healthy in this beautiful town of Ithaca,
since the class I have been confronting my demons no matter how scared
I was. I know that being truthful to yourself and taking care of
your health is so important, especially since I will be leaving this bubble
of a world soon and I must keep level headed to succeed in my wants and
desires.
I am so happy of the surprises I had from this "Math Clase'.
What is math is a class in perceiving the world. I feel it's a wonderful
gift that has been given to me and is one of a kind. I will never
forget those Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and you, Dani Novak, one
of the most interesting, wonderful, genius, puzzling character I have ever
met. I am changed and ready to grow more. Thank you for making
my life a little more interesting. This theatre kid is very grateful!
-Nicholas Carbonaro