"Gödel, Escher, Bach", in other Eras
Dirk Huylebrouck

Bridges Donostia: Mathematics, Music, Art, Architecture, Culture
Pages 53–58

Abstract

The imaginary interpretations of Douglas Hofstadter are tried out in different times, through a series of summaries. Admittedly, this paper does not present an original insight and is a mere reflective exercise. Similarities between mathematics, the visual arts and music are observed from the very beginnings in prehistoric times, Africa and Greece to the Middle Ages. From the Renaissance and the later golden age of mathematics, many more (familiar) examples could be given, but they are again summarized briefly, to reach the age of relativity and the era where mathematics and the arts seemed illusions. Two post “Gödel, Escher and Bach” examples, about modern times, conclude the summary.

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