Symmetry
Comes of Age: The Role of Pattern in Culture
by Dorothy
K. Washburn and Donald W. Crowe, Editors
University of Washington Press, Seattle,
WA, 2004
392 pp., illus. 204 col. Trade, $60.00
ISBN: 0-295-98366-3.
Reviewed by Rob Harle (Australia)
This book is a companion volume
to Symmetries of Culture: Theory and
Practice of Plane Pattern Analysis
by the same authors. Washburn and Crowe
with colleagues from varied disciplines
applied the method of symmetry analysis
to actual case studies from a number of
disparate cultures. The essays in this
book discuss their rather remarkable findings.
It "is dedicated to a discussion of the
application of the principles of geometric
symmetry to the study of decorated artifacts,
and to the exposition of cultural insights
gained from such study" (p. 3).
Symmetry analysis is an academic
process or tool used to explain how artworks
reflect patterns of human behaviour and
fundamental values. It is especially useful
in analysing symmetrical designs belonging
to tribal, folk, and ancient cultures.
It is not difficult to see why this book
won the George Wittenborn book award as
it is an extremely well researched scholarly
investigation and is highly readable as
well.
The book is well illustrated with black
and white photographs and drawings, together
with a sprinkling of colour photographs.
There is a List of Contributors, a good
Index, a fascinating Introduction by Washburn
and Crowe, and ten chapters that, for
the most part, cover a specific case study.
The Introduction stresses just how important
pattern and symmetrical design are in
virtually all cultures and how specific
designs characterize individual cultures,
yet some elements and motifs are found
in the works of other societies which
are isolated from each other geographically.
Chapter Oneexplains
the technical aspects of pattern analysis
and that this analysis deals with plane
symmetries and how variation occurs within
the confinements of such a plane.
Twolooks at periodic
ornamentation and how it is expressed
in Peruvian fabrics.
Threeexplains how symmetry
is created on a weaving loom with a detailed
discussion of the way a four-shaft loom
produces this symmetry.
Fourinvestigates the
interplay between cultural values and
mathematical-technical possibilities using
woven mats by the Yombe women of the Lower
Congo as a case study.
Fivelooks at the interaction
of colour and pattern in Zulu beadwork
and how this represents continuity and
change.
Sixdiscusses the embroideries
of the Nasca in Peru from the perspective
of symmetry as animator, classifier, and
syntax.
Seveninvestigates how
the Andean weavers explore the structure
of the world through woven cloth.
Eightdelves into the
Ica-Inca interactions through analysis
of the Ica Valley ceramics.
Ninelooks at the role
of symmetry in Shamanic Therapy in the
Upper Amazon.
The last chapter discusses cognitive structures
and body metaphors in the aesthetic and
everyday discourse of Turkish-Yörük
Weavers.
Whilst this last chapter, concerning Turkish
nomadic weavers, does mention Islamic
religious influences, I think it does
so all too briefly. In fact, if I have
any criticism of this book, it is that
it does not adequately deal with religious
influences on symmetrical pattern design.
Islamic culture and art is especially
relevant here as its restriction to non-figurative
representation has developed abstract
symmetrical pattern design to an extraordinarily
high level. Also, the mandalas
of Tibet are complex and wonderful examples
of symmetrical pattern that represent
this cultures spiritual belief system.
Perhaps a third volume could address this
specific issue in more detail?
To be fair, the book does not make any
claims regarding comprehensive representation
of all cultures. This approach would result
in an impossibly large volume or, alternatively,
allow only a very superficial discussion
of each culture. As the editors remark,
"Readers will now have a broad range of
studies of cultural symmetries to draw
upon as clues and guideposts for the
development of models [my emphasis]
of past cultural principles and practices"
(p. xiv). Possibly the most profound contribution
Symmetry Comes of Age: The Role of
Pattern in Culture makes, is as a
reference work for future scholars to
use in further analyses of those cultures
not already discussed.