Superlesson
Project 1-4
Geometry
Chapter 1, Visual Thinking and Mathematical
Models
Symmetry is found in the art of many different cultures. Explore some of the different symmetries you can find in art.
Part A, Symmetry
1. Different types of line symmetry frequently appear in quilts.
a. Look at pictures of two Amish quilts. Sketch the quilts and draw the lines of symmetry in both.
b. Look at a picture of a Late 18th century quilt. Does this quilt have line symmetry? If so, sketch the quilt with its lines of symmetry. If not, explain why it does not have line symmetry.
c. Look at a Picture of a quilt. (Ignore the applique cover in the bottom right.) Does this quilt have line symmetry? If so, sketch the quilt with its lines of symmetry. If not, explain why it does not have line symmetry.
Part B, Reflections
2. M.C. Escher is famous for the way he incorporated geometry into his art.
a. Look at Escher's Drawing Hands. What kind of symmetry does this picture exhibit? Explain.
b. Look at the picture at the Escher's Snakes Web site. What kind of symmetry does this picture exhibit? Explain.
Part C, Properties of Reflections
3. Mirrors provide another interesting way to look at reflections.
a. Describe what is happening in Escher's Magic Mirror.
b. The ball on the right side of the picture appears to be about 3 tiles away from the mirror. If the image on the left of the mirror is a reflection of the image on the right, how many tiles is it from the mirror?c. How did you get your answer to b?