DESCRIPTION:

The book represents a comparative analysis of the theory of discrete and visually presentable continuous symmetry groups in Euclidean plane E² or in E²\{O}: Symmetry Groups of Rosettes, Friezes, and Ornaments (Chapter 2), Similarity Symmetry Groups in E² (Chapter 3), Conformal Symmetry Groups in E²\{O} (Chapter 4) and ornamental motifs found in ornamental art that satisfy the mentioned forms of symmetry.

In each chapter symmetric forms are treated from the theory of groups point of view: generators, abstract definitions, structures, Cayley diagrams, data on enantiomorphism, form of the fundamental region... The analysis of the origin of corresponding symmetry structures in ornamental art: chronology of ornaments, construction problems, visual characteristics, and their relation to geometric-algebraic properties of the considered symmetry is given. The discussion is followed by illustrations, such as Cayley diagrams and ornaments.

The most of ornamental examples in the book date from prehistoric or ancient cultures. By iterpreting the ornamental art "as the oldest aspect of higher mathematics given implicitly", the emphasis is on the path leading from the theory of symmetry (i.e., the derivation, classification and analysis of symmetry groups) toward ornaments understood as the visual interpretations of abstract geometric-algebraic structures and vice versa. Such an approach is becoming increasingly more important, since it makes possible the use of visually presented symmetry groups in all fields of science and art where there is a need for the visual representation and analysis of symmetry structures (Mathematics, Crystallography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Applied Arts, Archaeology, Design, Architecture, Visual Arts).

WHERE TO ORDER:

Mathematical Institute
Knez Mihailova 35, P.O. Box 367
11001 Belgrade
Yugoslavia
FAX: +381 11 186105
Email: jablans@mi.sanu.ac.yu

CONTENTS:

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction

§ 1.1. Geometry and Its Basic Terms
§ 1.2. Transformations and Symmetry Groups
§ 1.3. Classification of Symmetry Transformations and Groups
§ 1.4. Visual Interpretations of Symmetry Groups
§ 1.5. Construction Methods. Desymmetrizations
§ 1.6. Symbols of Symmetry Groups
§ 1.7. Geometric-Visual Analysis of Symmetry Groups

Chapter 2 : Theory of Isometric Symmetry Groups in E² and Ornamental Art

§ 2.1. Symmetry Groups of Rosettes G₂₀
§ 2.2. Rosettes and Ornamental Art
§ 2.3. Symmetry Groups of Friezes G₂₁
§ 2.4. Friezes and Ornamental Art
§ 2.5. Symmetry Groups of Ornaments G₂
§ 2.6. Ornaments G₂ and Ornamental Art

Chapter 3 : Similarity Symmetry in E²

§ 3.1. Similarity Symmetry Groups of Rosettes S₂₀
§ 3.2. Similarity Symmetry Rosettes and Ornamental Art

Chapter 4 : Conformal Symmetry in E²\{O}

§ 4.1. Conformal Symmetry Groups in E²\{O}
§ 4.2. Conformal Symmetry Rosettes and Ornamental Art

Chapter 5 : The Theory of Symmetry and Ornamental Art

References

Notation Index

Index