Cumincad : CUMINCAD Papers : Paper ga9909:The mother's smile: An unconscious source for generative form in visual expression and design

id	ga9909
authors	Stebbing, Peter
year	1999
title	The mother's smile: An unconscious source for generative form in visual expression and design
source	International Conference on Generative Art
summary	There are two motifs which have universally occurred for thousands of years in the visual expression of many cultures. They are the circle and the asymmetrical curve. Since these forms appear so consistently in mankind's visual expression then they must have a biological origin and significance. It is proposed that the special biological relationship which exists between a child and its mother is the source for the "imprinted" appeal which these motifs have. Furthermore, this may explain the frequency of their use and/or the special significance which they are given in different cultures. Curved lines and surfaces are an integral part of form; however, very few design courses include a study of curves in their programmes. This paper draws attention to the biological significance of the curve and recommends that art and design students should at least be introduced to a fuller understanding of curves which mathematicians have described in 62 families.
series	other
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more	http://www.generativeart.com/
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last changed	2003/08/07 17:25