Genuine Plane Symmetries versus Pseudosymmetries in two Crystal Patterns of Graphic Artwork

TL;DR

This paper introduces an information theory-based method for objectively identifying plane symmetry groups in noisy crystal patterns, demonstrated on graphic artworks to distinguish genuine symmetries from pseudosymmetries and analyze artistic techniques.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, objective method for symmetry detection in noisy patterns and applies it to artistic images to differentiate true symmetries from pseudosymmetries.

Findings

Successful identification of symmetry groups in graphic artworks.

Insights into how artistic techniques influence symmetry realization.

Method distinguishes genuine symmetries from pseudosymmetries effectively.

Abstract

The reader is informed about a method for the objective identification of the plane symmetry group of a "noisy" crystal pattern. Without giving numerical details, this information theory based method is applied to two beautiful pieces of graphic art. The plane symmetry group identifications distinguish between genuine symmetries and pseudosymmetries as a byproduct. Pieces of graphic/geometric artworks are ideal for the further refinement of the new method because they are macroscopic and their '"noise content" is chiefly due to the handiwork and employed creative procedures of individual artists. As different graphic techniques/procedures were employed in the creation of the classified crystal patterns, one may glean insights on how well a particular technique or procedure supports the realization of a crystallographic symmetry group in a graphic work of art.