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![Quadratic Beziers in string art](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Quadratic_Beziers_in_string_art.svg)
String art or pin and thread art, is characterized by an arrangement of colored thread strung between points to form
geometric pattern
A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. A geometric pattern is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated l ...
s or representational designs such as a ship's
sail
A sail is a tensile structure—which is made from fabric or other membrane materials—that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may ...
s, sometimes with other artist material comprising the remainder of the work. Thread, wire, or string is wound around a grid of nails hammered into a
velvet
Weave details visible on a purple-colored velvet fabric
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word ''velvety'' means ...
-covered wooden board. Though straight lines are formed by the string, the slightly different angles and metric positions at which strings intersect gives the appearance of
Bézier curve
A Bézier curve ( ) is a parametric curve used in computer graphics and related fields. A set of discrete "control points" defines a smooth, continuous curve by means of a formula. Usually the curve is intended to approximate a real-world shape t ...
s (as in the mathematical concept of
envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin, flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card.
Traditional envelopes are made from sheets of paper cut to one of three shapes: a rhombus, a shor ...
of a family of straight lines).
Quadratic Bézier curve are obtained from strings based on two intersecting segments. Other forms of string art include
Spirelli, which is used for
cardmaking
Card making is the craft of hand-making greeting cards. Many people with interests in allied crafts such as scrapbooking and stamping have begun to use their skills to start making handmade cards. This has contributed to cardmaking becoming a pop ...
and
scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a method of preserving, presenting and arranging personal and family history in the form of a book, box or card. Typical memorabilia include photographs, printed media, and artwork. Scrapbook albums are often decorated and frequ ...
, and curve stitching, in which string is stitched through holes.
String art has its origins in the 'curve stitch' activities invented by
Mary Everest Boole
Mary Everest Boole (11 March 1832 in Wickwar, Gloucestershire – 17 May 1916 in Middlesex, England) was a self-taught mathematician who is best known as an author of didactic works on mathematics, such as ''Philosophy and Fun of Algebra'', an ...
at the end of the 19th century to make mathematical ideas more accessible to children. It was popularised as a decorative craft in the late 1960s through kits and books.
A computational form of string art that can produce photo-realistic artwork was introduced by Petros Vrellis, in 2016.
Gallery
File:String-art-star-design.jpg, String art star design
File:Knit 1.jpg, Computational String art by Petros Vrellis (2016)
File:Flower sewing pattern outline.svg, Stringart: Flower hole pattern
File:Filled flower sewing pattern.svg, Stringart: Flower filled sewing pattern
File:Full loop flower sewing pattern.svg, Stringart: Flower loop sewing pattern
File:Half loop flower sewing pattern.svg, Stringart: Flower half-loop sewing pattern
See also
*
Bézier curve
A Bézier curve ( ) is a parametric curve used in computer graphics and related fields. A set of discrete "control points" defines a smooth, continuous curve by means of a formula. Usually the curve is intended to approximate a real-world shape t ...
*
Envelope (mathematics)
In geometry, an envelope of a planar family of curves is a curve that is tangent to each member of the family at some point, and these points of tangency together form the whole envelope. Classically, a point on the envelope can be thought of as ...
*
N-connectedness
In algebraic topology, homotopical connectivity is a property describing a topological space based on the dimension of its holes. In general, low homotopical connectivity indicates that the space has at least one low-dimensional hole. The concep ...
References
Bibliography
* Lois Kreischer (1971). ''Symmography''. Crown Publishers, New York, NY.
* Robert Sharpton (1972). ''Designing In String''. Cunningham Art Products, Inc. No ISBN.
* Mark Jansen, Ric Barline, Fred Fortune (1972). ''The Art of Geometric Thread Design''. Open Door Company, Campbell, CA. No ISBN.
* Brian and Patricia Eales (1973). ''Pin and Thread''. Flarepath Printers Ltd., Great Britain. No ISBN.
* Glen D. Saeger (1973). ''String Things You Can Make''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY.
* Glen D. Saeger (1973). ''String Designs''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY.
* Vivian Bowler (1974). ''44 String and Nail Art Projects''. Crown Publishers, New York, NY. No ISBN.
* James E. Gick (1974). ''Thread Design''. Hazel Pearson Crafts, Rosemead, CA. No ISBN.
* Douglas K. Dix (1975). ''Filography''. Pan Books Ltd., London.
* Robert Sharpton (1975). S''tring Art: Step-By-Step''.
Chilton Book Co.
Chilton Company (AKA Chilton Printing Co., Chilton Publishing Co., Chilton Book Co. and Chilton Research Services) is a former publishing company, most famous for its trade magazines, and automotive manuals. It also provided conference and market ...
Radnor, PA.
* Marie-Claude Riviere (1975). ''Pin Pictures With Wire and Thread''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY. ISBN ?
* Fran Risting (1975). ''String Art''. Drake Publishing, NY and London.
* Unknown Author (1975). ''String Art Made Easy''. Clapper Publications Co. Ridge Park, Illinois. No ISBN.
* Compilation (1976). ''String Art Encyclopedia''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY.
* Richard Ohanian (1976). ''The Family Creative Workshop''. Plenary Publications International, New York, NY.
* Warren Farnworth (1977). ''Techniques and Designs in Pin and Thread Craft''. BT Batsford Ltd., London.
* Roland and Dominique Cauro (1978). ''Stringcraft''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY.
* Raymond Gautard (1978). ''The Beautiful String Art Book''. Sterling Publishing Co., New York, NY.
* Jon Millington (1989). 'Curve Stitching'. Tarquin Publications, London, UK
* Jane Hermsen (2003). ''Spirelli''. Forte Publishers BV, The Netherlands.
* Ali Gökçe Yılmaz (2013). "Futursuz Futurist String Art". Istanbul. No ISBN
*Rain Blanken (2018) "String Art Magic: Secrets to Crafting Geometric Art with String and Nail"
External links
{{Decorative arts
Visual arts media
Mathematics and culture
Decorative ropework