I'm sure you're right that natural beauty is assymetrical, but surely Helen
is right too that the idealisation of symmetry in western art goes back a
long long way beyond William Morris? Right back to the first contact with
eastern civilisations, at the least

-----Original Message-----
From: Arthur Seeley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 February 2004 11:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Symmetry (aside)( Helen)


THIS EMAIL HAS BEEN SWEPT FOR VIRUSES BY THE NORTHCLIFFE GROUP MAILSWEEPER
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I think when you cite Greek and Eastern countries for their 'symmetry is
beautiful 'aesthetics you are talking perhaps in terms of their pottery and
temples which are 'man made' I am saying that Assymmetry is the essence of
'natural' beauty.I do not say symetry is not beautiful only not part of
natural beauty. Interesting subject.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Helen Clare" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 7:24 PM
Subject: Symmetry (aside)


> And yet research seems to show that those with the features closest to
> symmetrical are most likely to be considered beautiful and do best in
> the old attracting a mate business....
>
> As for symmetry being western and originating with Morris - is it not
> to
be
> found in art and artefacts from Ancient Greece, Persia, India, China
> etc - in intent if not in absolutely perfect executation?
>
> But indeed in science it is often asymmetry as in the case of DNA or
> other biologically important molecules that actually makes things
> work.
>
> Then again its their deviation from symmetry that is important - so
symmetry
> remains an important principle if rarely seen in practise.
>
> More paradoxes.
>
> H
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Arthur Seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 7:00 PM
> Subject: Re: New sub: Five Geese
>
>
> > Hi James . Glad to see you back again and knee deep in the estuary I
see.
> > James I do not doubt your description of the scene as being an
> > accurate recall of what you saw but I do not think you will find
> > that symmetry is natural on the contrary symmetry is totally
> > artificial, man-made,
Western
> > deriving probably from William Morris and his wallpapers, in fact
> > nature
> is
> > always assymmetrical, it is a principle of Aesthetics that true
> > beauty
> lies
> > in the assymetric, that perfection is only present when imperfection
> > is there. Which is a nice little paradox for you. Arthur.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "James Bell" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 10:53 AM
> > Subject: New sub: Five Geese
> >
> >
> > > This is part of a curent sequence of poems and an ongoing
> > > depiction of
> the
> > > riversides I wander on a regular basis. C&C welcome.
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > FIVE GEESE
> > >
> > > Five geese swim
> > >                        one behind another
> > >             in a line
> > > on a flat river surface
> > >
> > > cause a wash like a wide open fan
> > >
> > > They are central
> > > a decorative watercolour finish to the fan
> > >
> > > depict the symetry of nature
> > >                                    in tranquility
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > bw
> > > James
> > >
> > > _________________________________________________________________
> > > Stay in touch with absent friends - get MSN Messenger
> > > http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger
> >