45 Go around outside a circular structure.
32 Go around interior and apses.
30 Central arch largest.
2 Central arch smallest.
4 Ends largest.
6 Ends smallest.
6 Central arch accented by decoration.
6 Central arch accented by upward incline of two halves.
6 Ends in different planes.
7 Different width of piers around centre and ends.
5 Very narrow arches.
9 Other reasons.
7 Unaccounted for.
The question discussed in the experiments, as to whether narrower
interspacing was required between units decorated toward the centre,
and units blank, or covered entirely with non-centrally accented
decoration, could not be taken up in the latter analysis. To settle
such a point, illustrations would have to be found of blank and
decorated units of the same shape and size, in the same structure, and
their relative interspacing compared. But no such examples were found,
where the spacing was not regulated by some obvious structural reason
other than pure pleasure in the repetition. This must stand, therefore,
solely as an experimental result.
The use made of difference in plane or end, to facilitate two series
being taken along together, whereas they would be fatiguing if the
same in those respects, has been touched upon in the discussion of
statues and bas-reliefs, and other series of more complicated units.
Where the unit and alternate are both rich and significant, and would
tire the observer by following each other at the distances they are
obliged to be in a series, a slight difference in plane relieves the
situation, and is used largely in monuments, fountains, pulpits, and
such structures.
Many other questions have come up in the investigation which might be
discussed in the same manner as the preceding, but can only be hinted
at in conclusion:
Just what factors make an element and its alternate congruous? What
is the exact relation of lines, which makes the scroll decoration in
a balustrade alternate satisfactorily with an upright support, while
the alternation of the arches in the Colosseum with the Greek pillars
between them is incongruous?
In what does the pleasure in repeated series differ, when the observer
is not certain just what is the repeated element? May there be a bare
rhythmic pleasure, when the series is too far away to distinguish
what the elements are, or when they run together, so that no definite
demarcation is felt between them? Do such series excite a pleasure of
repetition without content as to elements, and does it differ from mere
variation and contrast?
The series of unsymmetrical units was found in the experiments to have
a peculiarly unstable run-on effect similar to that of rhythmic units
and of arches. Are they used in the same kind of cases as the others
were, when a particularly active effect is desired?
Must a space be wholly enclosed, to be taken as a unit?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account