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M IR RO R SY M M ET RY D R
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MUSEUM EDUCATION
Victor Vasarely used mirror symmetry in his work entitled FVP-3-35. It provided him with a playground for depth perception. The larger, more brightly coloured octagons and squares gradually become darker and smaller, creating the illusion that the two quarter spheres blend into the surface on which they stand. Do you sense any movement? Are the two spheres getting closer or further away from each other? Use these symmetry drawing activities to create some unique compositions on your own or collaboratively with others.
-ne krow sih ni y rtemmys rorrim desu ylerasaV rotciV rof dnuorgyalp a htiw mih dedivorp tI . 5 3- 3-PV F deltit deruoloc ylthgirb erom ,regral ehT .noitpecrep htped dna rekrad emoceb yllaudarg serauqs dna snogatco ret rauq ow t eht taht noisulli eht gnitaerc ,rellams .dnats yeht hcihw no ecaf rus eht otni dnelb serehps serehps owt eht erA ?tnemevom yna esnes uoy oD esU ?rehto hcae morf yawa reht ruf ro resolc gnit teg emos etaerc ot seitivitca gniward y rtemmys eseht y l e v i t a r o b a l l o c r o n wo r u o y n o s n o i t i s o p m o c e u q i n u . s r e ht o ht iw
Victor Vasarely FVP 3/35
Photos: Tímea Sebestyén (p. 11), Csanád Szesztay (p. 7 and p. 15) Layout: Zsuzsanna Brotesser 3
MIRROR IMAGES
When Vasarely uses reflection or mirror symmetry, he arranges the elements along each side of a line in reverse order. Naissance-R/1 is an example of mirror symmetry when drawing.
While at first glance, this drawing for an advertisement Vasarely made in the mid-1930s might seem symmetrical, the legs on the figures are not identical.
Victor Vasarely Sketch for the Triplon Poster, 1936–1937
Victor Vasarely Naissance–R/1, 1951 4
Have a go at the mirror symmetry art activities on the following pages. Will any of them be slightly asymmetrical?
SYMMETRICAL DRAWING
What you need - paper - pen or pencil - ruler
Task 1. Use a ruler to draw a line and indicate the center of the paper. 2. Draw something on one side of the line, then its reflection on the other side.
Victor Vasarely Decoration designs for exterior decoration of small houses, 1970 5
SYMMETRICAL COLLAGE
What you need Coloured objects - Use a set of shapes you already have - Make them from coloured paper or cut shapes out of cardboard/white paper and colour them in. - Use objects you have at home (socks, pens, fruits, weights...etc.)
Task 1. Mark a line on the paper, floor or table to show where the middle is. 2. Set out the shapes or objects so that they are an equal distance from the line in the center. 3. A composition made in this way has reflection symmetry. Challenge 1. Play with two people by having one person put an object down, and then the other person copies them. 2. Take turns until you are both satisfied with the composition. Ultimate Challenge Don’t speak to each other while you arrange the shapes/ objects to form your composition.
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DRAWING A SYMMETRICAL IMAGE
What you need - paper - pencils or pens Task 1. You need two people to do this drawing activity. 2. Sitting across from each other, try to draw the mirror image of what your partner draws.
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Challenge Draw without lifting your pens/pencils from the paper. Ultimate Challenge Draw without talking to each other.
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A SYMMETRY OF SOUNDS
What you need - two ways of making sounds - if you do not have instruments and you do not want to sing, get creative and find objects around the house that you can make sounds with - a digital dictaphone if you want to record your music Task 1. By experimenting with your voices or the instruments, come up with a series of sounds you both like. 2. Play them together. 3. Record them with a digital dictaphone and play it back to see how it sounds.
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A SYMMETRY OF MOVEMENTS
What you need - a space where you can move around - a camera if you want to record what you do Task 1. Mark a line on the floor or ground. 2. By experimenting, come up with a series of movements that you like. 3. Record it with a camera and then watch it.
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LET THE MIRROR DRAW
What you need - mirror - pencil - eraser - paper Task Sketch just half of the figure or pattern and use a mirror to see what the whole image looks like.
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THE OTHER HALF
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LOOK IN THE MIRROR, NOT AT THE PAPER
What you need - clipboard or something sturdy to draw on - pencil or markers - paper - mirror Task 1. Sit or stand in front of a mirror. 2. Hold the paper and pencil/marker in such a way, that you must look into the mirror to draw on the paper.
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