symmetry at first glance

This morning my copies of "Symmetry Comes of Age" arrived. How exciting! I've only had a chance to leaf through the book, but I'm very pleased. It's a heavy hardbound volume, thick paper, good photos and illustrations. The layout is nice; each contribution has a different little motif above the title on the first page, related to the pictures within that section. I'm trying to be objective. Here's the disclaimer: I have an article in this book! It is thrilling to finally have something I wrote be between hard covers. And in such illustrious company! How did I ever make it into a volume with these people?

--Ed and Chris Franquemont, Andean weaving experts ("Learning to Weave in Chinchero")
--Mary Frame, Andean textile expert
--Branko Grunbaum, mathematician who co-authored the most complete book ever on plane symmetries
--Paulus Gerdes, mathematician who studies geometry and art in Africa

In all truth, I think it will be an important volume to that small group of people who care about the cultural practice of symmetry. As a textile person, I'd certainly read it for the Franquemonts and Mary Frame; there's also a piece on turkish weaving, and a piece which I believe discusses Shipibo cloth (upper Amazon). This is a book to spark many ideas.

My article is "Creating Symmetry On the Loom", an analysis of plane symmetry patterns and how to recreate them structurally with a floor loom. Hexagonal arrangements are not discussed, but the article outlines how to achieve any of the other 12 plane symmetries by manipulating the threading, tie-up and treadling. Only four shafts are required. Since western use of symmetry emhasizes the bilateral, I think it's interesting to know how to create rotations and glides in fabric structure, not just reflections. It can lead to fabrics with a familiar feel, but surprising details.