Elizabeth Whiteley
Recently, I have become curious about expanding a 2-D image to a 3-D
object. At what point does this happen visually? I believe that the
visual point of expansion between two dimensions can be expressed as a
bas-relief. In creating original bas-reliefs, I used Jay Hambidge’s
theory of Dynamic Symmetry as a design methodology. It produces
harmonically pleasing subdivisions of square root rectangles whose
ratios of width to height are irrational numbers. A 2-D line diagram
of Dynamic Symmetry can be expanded to 3-D in many ways. The viewer is
encouraged to visualize what might happen if other line diagrams were
burst open.
For this original artwork on 400 lb. rough watercolor paper, I
began with two embossed line diagrams of Dynamic Symmetry applied
to a square root 2 rectangle. I partitioned each diagram by
cutting two diagonal lines from two vertexes to the middle of the
opposite side. The cuts resulted in three segments for each
diagram. I manually curved the segments and then used a jig to
stabilize the paper memory of the 3-D curves. When the paper form
was fixed, I placed it, with its two opened spaces, on top of one
of my hand-colored monoprints. The bas-relief sculpture is an
example of the point where a 2-D Dynamic Symmetry expands to 3-D
Dynamic Symmetry.
For this original artwork on 400 lb. rough watercolor paper, I
began with an embossed line diagram of Dynamic Symmetry applied to
a square root 2 rectangle. I partitioned it by cutting two
diagonal lines from two vertexes to their opposite vertexes. I
then cut lines from their center crossing point perpendicular to
the four sides. The result was eight segments. I manually curved
the segments and then used a jig to stabilize the paper memory of
the 3-D curves. When the paper form was fixed, I placed it, with
its opened space, on top of one of my hand-colored monoprints. The
bas-relief sculpture is an example of the point where a 2-D
Dynamic Symmetry expands to 3-D Dynamic Symmetry.