TESSELLATIONS With a heavy dose of symmetry

Symmetry  The terms symmetry has many meanings.  In The Last Supper, symmetry is about balance in that the disciples are grouped in four groups of three, with two groups on either side of the central figure of Christ.

 A human body has symmetry because a vertical line drawn through the head and navel divides the body into two (nearly) identical parts.

 Symmetry can also refer to a repetition of patterns.

Three Types of Symmetries  Reflection symmetry – An object remains unchanged when reflected across a straight line.  Rotation symmetry – An object remains unchanged when rotated through some angle about a point.  Translation symmetry – A pattern remains the same when shifted in a straight line (of any direction).

Symmetry in Art  Gustave Dore’s engraving The Vision of the Empyrean from  Shows an amazing illustration of rotational symmetry.

 Victor Vasarely’s Supernovae started symmetric but the slight deviations from symmetry make the work even more powerful.

M.C. Escher  If anyone has ever heard of tessellations, also known as tilings, they have heard of the master M.C. Escher.  Mauritis Cornelis Escher ( ) was born in The Netherlands and is one of the most famous graphic artists of all time.  Made over 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings, and over 2000 drawings and sketches.  He was left-handed.

Belvedere, 1958 Relativity, 19??

Reptiles, 1943 Encounter, 1944

Day and Night, 1938 Stars, 1948 Circle Limit IV, 1960

Hand with Reflecting Sphere Eye, 1946 Drawing Hands, 1948

Tessellations  A form of art called tilings (tessellations) involves covering a flat area, such as a floor or wall, with geometric shapes.  Tilings usually have regular or symmetric patterns.  Specifically, a tessellation is an arrangement of polygons that interlock perfectly with no overlapping.  Our tessellations will all be square based, with a bit of flourish to make them “better” looking.