Physical Attributes to Convey Specialness con't
1. Symmetry in form and decoration. Many containers for special objects have symmetrical elements and/or use symmerical decoration. Further, we see that the symmetry seems to be on the vertical axis, or mirrored symmetry.
Is this the case?
Looking at yesterday's examples, we can certainly see their symmetry. As well as-
Church Floor Plans.
Grave Markers.
Temple Doors
Totem Poles
Why?
I think the brain tends to 'like' images with repeated designs (which symmetrical designs are) because they are easier to comprehend. The human brain see's a bit of what is going on and can confidentally assume the rest. Simple, mirrored, symmetry is quickly understood by the brain.
Many optical illusions play on this, one of my favorites is the checker shadow done up by Edward Adelson. It demonstrates how the visual system uses some general rules of thumb, as it were, to assume the rest of the image.
In Why Humans are sensitive to mirror symmetry? Yehouda Harpaz goes into several other ideas:
Neurological: Basically because while more nerves from the eyes cross over to the other side of the brain, some do not. Those that do not, still reach the correct area of the brian where the image would occur, if it were on the other side of the brain. A vertically symmetrical object would have similar images on each side of the brain. The miss routed neurons would show the same images as the correctly routed ones. Thus, the symmetrical would be clearer to the viewer than asymetrical objects.
Evolutionary: Those with greater awareness of of vertical symmetry would be better at detecting animals (who are mostly symmetrical.) Prefering symmetric mates may incline people to choose individuals who had less physical problems.
What for?
By using vertical symmetry the artist is making something that will catch one's attention. It is out of the ordinary.
It immediately shows that its maker had some intention.
It gives something people are naturally inclined to like to look at.
Further, by putting an emphasis on the vertical one may be referring to a metaphor. The vertical points to above and below. It shows the path of transition between the two. Above and below can be seen as sacred/profane, good/bad, or heaven/hell.
10:02:02 PM 
|
|
