Pattern and Aesthetics

12/4/2021

Pattern and Aesthetics

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Fractal patterns in nature and art are aesthetically pleasing and stress-reducing. The patterns that we can easily see in our daily life and in nature convey interest and pleasure to people.

Also, patterns are the most famous art style form used today. We can look at them everywhere. Even though we wake up every day, we can see stripe wallpaper. From fashion to everyday life, it is around. However, it was not the first time the pattern had a trend. The most representative example is stripes, a must-have item for ‘fashion people.’ But, in the Middle Ages, a Christian-centered society, stripes were a pattern with a negative meaning. Two different colors were placed side by side and called ‘Devil’s Pattern.’ Because of this prejudice, it was worn mainly by those stigmatized as heretics, traitors, and clowns, who were reluctant in society. In the 19th century, Americans and Europeans also made prisoners wear striped-patterned uniforms to make them stand out more, and black and white were alternately arranged because they resembled iron bars.

However, with the turn of the 20th century, the negative image of stripes disappeared. Now, not only these stripes but also various types of patterns can be found in the elements of our lives such as fashion, art, architecture, and automobiles and so on.

An interesting exhibition on patterns, ‘Deep Surface: Contemporary Ornament and Pattern’, was held at ‘CAM Raleigh’, a contemporary art and design museum located in North Carolina, USA ( 2011). The exhibition, composed of 72 works of designers and artists from 42 countries and diverse nationalities, provided a new perspective on the shape and meaning of patterns in all areas of design from multiple perspectives. Since this exhibition was held 10 years ago, I can't even imagine how many patterns have changed until now.

https://visualdgc.blogspot.com/2011/09/deep-surface-exhibition-2011.html

It held to not only introduce patterns as a design trend, but to rediscover the essence of patterns that have reflected our daily lives and historical culture through decorative artistic expressions in the long history of visual communication through the work of contemporary designers and artists.

While studying the history and aesthetic essence of these patterns, I am trying to make simple patterns. Below is the shape of the pattern I worked with in Photoshop.