The Shapes of Things. In Shapes: Nature’s Patterns In this reading Ball discussed many different forms that are present in nature and the reasons why we see and perceive things the way that we do. He begins by challenging the readers whether they were confident in telling the difference between forms that are living and non-living. How sure are you in telling the difference between these? Ball goes on to talk about the creation of various shapes in nature and the mathematics that are behind them. Examples he discussed and explore were the formulae behind the spirals of horns and shells which generally are the result of a Fibonacci sequence. Ball goes on to talk about the Theory of Darwinian Evolution where we humans are in short, a product of nature and evolution. “Darwinian evolution… provides a narrative that rationalizes how we got to where we are today”. A notion by Ball that I find to be relevant to the designing of my lantern concept, where he says that in producing a basic concept for any design, the model only needs to include some aspects where the designer find to be relevant and important. This idea can be used in sketch modelling where only the relevant and necessary features of the design are shown in order to save time and still allow the general concept of the design to be translated. I also found it highly fascinating that snowflakes show that a complex form isn’t only found in living things but also in inorganic patterns as well as organic patterns. From this reading I’ve learnt to notice the link and similarities between patterns of nature and that of everyday life.
The Man Who Loved Fluids. In Flow: Nature’s Patterns Here in this reading Ball discussed the way various patterns found in nature, especially the flow and movement of water (from sketches and theories by Leonardo Da Vinci) that these information and can be used as both an artistic form or scientific research. I like the way Leonardo was able to capture the movement and flow of water in a two-dimensional sketch (as seen attached on the left), using only lines but was able to give the sketches a sense of 3-dimension. I was able to really see the path at which the water would follow and move in. The way that Leonardo was able to communicate an idea that is three-dimensional on a two-dimensional medium by showing the mechanisms and the movement of the water itself and not in its form. I believe that this is relevant to us in creating our lantern projects in which we don’t just create something that appears to be the literal represent of the natural-process inspiration but instead, draw ideas from it and abstract that idea into something that is not of the literal meaning. A quote in particular that I find to be extremely relevant to our lantern project was the way Leonardo “felt that one could not imbue the picture with life until one understood how nature does it”. This is true in that we cannot abstract and develop processes in nature until we understand the way it works.
A Winter’s Tale. In Branches: Nature’s Patterns
In this reading, another by Philip Ball, he has a main focus on the mathematical structures of patterns, especially in that of snowflakes and it’s symmetrical characteristics. It’s interesting how snowflakes appear to be symmetrical but when observed carefully they often are not and this concept was well explained and explored by Ball. I found “In Branches: Nature’s Patterns” to be the most interesting read out of the three required readings. I’ve always been fascinated by the structure and formation of snowflakes: the way in which it was formed, it’s symmetrical structure, it’s uniqueness and of course it’s beauty. Hence I was instantly drawn in with the descriptive explanations and theories of the snowflakes’ structures and thoroughly enjoyed this reading.
-Amanda Do