Symmetry by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
In the wikipedia article concerning symmetry, we are told by that writer: "Symmetry (from Greek συμμετρεῖν symmetría "measure together") generally conveys two primary meanings. The first is an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically pleasing proportionality and balance; such that it reflects beauty or perfection. The second meaning is a precise and well-defined concept of balance or "patterned self-similarity" that can be demonstrated or proved according to the rules of a formal system: by geometry, through physics or otherwise." I like wikipedia articles, especially when they say something that I've been thinking or at least nearly-thinking; I like wikipedia articles when they allow me to pretend that I've just said something wholly-impressive: where would my unspeakable, unwritable Greek be without Wikipedia? I bring this up, because in thinking about spin-and-jiggle neon-abstracts, symmetry is of extreme importance...sometimes radial symmetry comes to the fore, as in the image here. At other times, the symmetry is more bilateral—like the wings of a butterfly, the wings of anything with two wings, or anything with a sense of symmetry that implies a thing and its reflection.
I question what sort of symmetry this image might represent. I suppose in its execution it represents the second species of symmetry: it is layer upon layer of patterend self-similarity, and it can be demonstrated or proved according to rules of a formal system...quite a few formal systems, including the system of spastic-choroeography which defines spin-and-giggle photography. Like the first system of symmetry, as defined on wikipedia, it can be defined by an imprecise sense of harmonious or aesthetically=pleasing proportionality/balance. I like to think, however, that a kind of musical business defines the core element of this image.
As with the other examples of the spin-and-jiggle images I've posted, this is layer upon layer of abstract blurs. I can't remember how many layers actually compose this image, but I suppose it doesn't really matter. I like that I created this image based on the technique that I'd developed, while playing with images taken on the corner of Belmont and Something. I like that I cannot actually duplicate the same result twice. I rather like the idea that symmetry of this sort can arise out of something improvisational and un-planned, something spontaneous, random, and totally haphazard. I hope that you enjoy this image as much as I enjoyed making it. I should also point out that this is an image I'd tweaked on Corey's computer. I left it there, during an earlier period of computer repair. As my computer is in phase two of radical repair (shortly before replacement) I have been driven to find this on Corey's drive, and so...thanks to my own artistic efforts and a best friend's computer, here is yet another Neon Abstract. I can't remember what number I'm up to, but I'm sure that there will be more.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're all having a great week.

Comments (22)
this image, like the kaleidoscope, provides a perfect example of symmetry in an abstract form Delightful image and great topic of discussion
Very hypnotic in a certain way.
This might be your best yet! I love the glow and the depth. As with any image that is dependent upon flipping, faces tend to appear, and the face in this one is delightful! Arched eyebrows (or perhaps herons ... it's hard to tell) surprise!! Excellent stuff. I love this!
I see eight Sheild bugs round a dinner table.
A very nice image and so much going on in there, zoom is a must.
Outstanding work my friend. God Bless.
Spin and giggle? I like that description! This has a beautiful delicate symmetry that is quite appealing!
Yeah, I have always liked symmetry and strong colors and this has symmetry and strong colors. A wonderful red color of the most solid. So I do like this image alot :)
Beautifully rich reds & electric filament yellows on a black background combine to create a powerful abstract here. I guess I've missed your other neon abstracts & will have to peruse your gallery to find them. I am very much into symmetry myself & have posted many 3D software based mandalas (as well as using bilateral symmetry in other images) under my alter ego eyeland...
SUPERLATIVE WORK!
Beautiful abstract! I love the way the yellow glow and gives life to the mixture of black and red. The shapes are amazing and the symmetry is undoubtedly the subject.
Fabulous image
very neat kaleidoscope effect
will add this to my background collections :)
I love Wikipedia as well. I've personally updated articles concerning the TV series 'The Prisoner' and 'The Magnificent Marble Machine'. Beautiful rich colour like that from a neon (true neon in this case) light. The pattern has 8-fold symmetry, which can also be viewed as 4-fold and 2-fold symmetry. Neon lighting is an apt subject matter as it is a phenomena of quantum mechanics. And in the quantum world symmetry is very important and bizarre. In this world there is 1/2-fold symmetry or 1/2 spin. A nature where an 'object' must turn around (or be circumnavigated) twice in order to come to the original orientation. Wild, I know.
Bizarrely, my colour vision returned a few weeks ago, after 40 years of absence, so I'm really enjoying the vibrant reds in this image. This looks to me like a sci-fi futuristic stained glass window. Excellent work as always!
Nice idea, Chip. Your creativity continues.... and it pleases me. Keep it!
This is an excellent!
Stupendous. This is actually quite allegorical of your work as a whole, a crimson bloom. Well done.
Looks amazing. Love it a lot.
Nice. I've always loved symmetry. Not really sure why and never bothered to question myself about it. A lot going on in there and the blur leaves much to the imagination, which, in turn, stimulates it. That, in my opinion, is a good thing. Your description of the creative process leads me to say there's a good deal of similarity in it to the way I create symmetrical abstracts using Bryce, which is not really what it's intended for. It can be done in either of two ways. One can be very mathematical about it and build a three dimensional structure using very precise grids, distance calculations and object placement. On the other hand, you can start from a basic concept and build it by spontaneous improvisation, tweaking and fiddling with lighting, reflectivity, object type, size and mats until something appears that achieves and often surpasses what you had in mind to start with. I much prefer and almost exclusively use the second method.
Lovely colors and symmertry Chip and some interesting information too!