DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42067#0072
54
The formal element in art
According to the description of the belt first mentioned, as given
by the authors, there is a regular repetition in the following order:
1 2 3 | 4 | 3' 2 1 | 5 | 1 2 3 | 4' [ 3 2 1 5 |
1 ' 2 3 | 4' |
The same order is found on the handle of an axe which is deco-
rated with colored zigzag lines 1.
On a pouch 2 there is a lower field arranged in rows of diamonds,
followed by a middle field consisting of zigzag bands, and an upper
field consisting again of diamonds.
In this the order is from below upward
215123432|43515351|
diamonds zigzags
2 3 4 3 2
diamonds.
Like symmetry, rhythmic repetition runs generally on horizontal
levels, right and left, although not quite as preponderantly as symmetry.
Piling up of identical or similar forms occurs in nature as often
as lateral symmetry. Plants with their vertical succession of leaves,
branches of trees, piles of stones, ranges of mountains rising behind
one another, may suggest vertical arrangements of similar elements.
However, much more common are repetitions in horizontal bands;
of simple arrangements of single strokes in rows; and of complicated
successions of series of varied figures that recur in regular order
(fig. 48, Plate V).
It follows from what has been said before that the forms here
discussed are not expressive of specific emotional states and in this
sense significant.
This conclusion may be corroborated by a further examination of
decorative forms.
We have already indicated that the artistic value of an object is
not due to the form alone, but that the method of manufacture
1 Ibid, plate XI, fig. 1.
5 Ibid., plate XXIV, fig. 3.
The formal element in art
According to the description of the belt first mentioned, as given
by the authors, there is a regular repetition in the following order:
1 2 3 | 4 | 3' 2 1 | 5 | 1 2 3 | 4' [ 3 2 1 5 |
1 ' 2 3 | 4' |
The same order is found on the handle of an axe which is deco-
rated with colored zigzag lines 1.
On a pouch 2 there is a lower field arranged in rows of diamonds,
followed by a middle field consisting of zigzag bands, and an upper
field consisting again of diamonds.
In this the order is from below upward
215123432|43515351|
diamonds zigzags
2 3 4 3 2
diamonds.
Like symmetry, rhythmic repetition runs generally on horizontal
levels, right and left, although not quite as preponderantly as symmetry.
Piling up of identical or similar forms occurs in nature as often
as lateral symmetry. Plants with their vertical succession of leaves,
branches of trees, piles of stones, ranges of mountains rising behind
one another, may suggest vertical arrangements of similar elements.
However, much more common are repetitions in horizontal bands;
of simple arrangements of single strokes in rows; and of complicated
successions of series of varied figures that recur in regular order
(fig. 48, Plate V).
It follows from what has been said before that the forms here
discussed are not expressive of specific emotional states and in this
sense significant.
This conclusion may be corroborated by a further examination of
decorative forms.
We have already indicated that the artistic value of an object is
not due to the form alone, but that the method of manufacture
1 Ibid, plate XI, fig. 1.
5 Ibid., plate XXIV, fig. 3.