2023Academic Year Short Course Review「The Order of Nature: Geometry and Patterns」

From 11 to 24 October, the course "The Order of Nature: Geometry and Patterns" was delivered by Dr. Lisa DeLong from the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts at Yuan Centre.

This practical course encouraged students to contemplate Geometry’s true inherent meaning in the realm of the order of nature, and experienced geometry as a contemplative discipline. After the two weeks of learning, students gained the ability to analyse and draw these patterns in the context of artistic and architectural elements from East and West.

During the two weeks, students were introduced to the tools, techniques, and creative potential of geometry through hands-on practice of and gained a working vocabulary of basic geometry constructions using compass and straight edge.

They studied and drew some basic patterns and proportions of four-fold, six-fold, eight-fold and twelve-fold symmetries as well as their proportional systems, numbers and their symbolism, and were shown examples of the geometry application throughout history and across cultures, with patterns found in the monuments and traditional arts of East and West.

The final work of each student applied the principles and composition in one design including an introduction to a general color theory.

During the class, Lisa also led the students to a field trip in Suzhou's Chang Lang Pavilion. As the oldest classical garden in Suzhou, the highlight of Chang Lang Pavilion is the 108 window screens, in which you can see various geometric patterns that none of them are the same. The combination of geometry and traditional Chinese art opens up more possibilities for geometric design.