Art and Physics

i checked out this book by Leonard Shlain several months ago and have recently checked it out again. more than likely i'll be renewing until i can no more. the whole book is a great read, but what really stuck w/me is chapter 12, "East/West". specifically what he has to say about eastern concepts of space, he writes:

In predominate Easter philosophies, empty space was the void. From this invisible cornucopia issued forth all that was substance. The large empty spaces contained within an Asian work of art are a representation of this idea....the Eastern view suggests that space evolves...Eastern artists would have considered it childish and sily to imitate natre realistically. Their art's original purpose was to create forms of such beauty that they would become aids to meditation.

there's lots more interesting stuff, but you'll have to read the book!