Hits,Misses and Close Calls: An Image Essay on Pattern Formation in On Growth and Form

Abstract

The second edition of D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form was written only shortly before the advent of computers made it possible to develop more sophisticated mathematical models of processes of growth, morphogenesis and pattern formation in nature. It also predates the blossoming of several branches of science with the conceptual tools to investigate complex phenomena such as self-organization, nonlinear dynamics and chaos, fractal geometry and self-organization. As a result, Thompson’s aspirations sometimes fall short of his means — and occasionally he sets out on the wrong path. This image essay explores some of the instances in which Thompson surpassed his limitations or, alternatively, was constrained by them. In either circumstance, it illustrates how his themes remain areas of significant scientific activity today.     

D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form and the Concept of Dynamic Form in Postwar Avant-Garde Art Theory

Abstract

The impact is considered of D’Arcy Thompson’s notion of biological form as set out in On Growth and Form on postwar avant-garde experimental art practices associated with the Independent Group, Nigel Henderson’s photography, and László Moholy-Nagy’s post-Bauhaus art theory. How Thompson’s insistence on the importance of physical forces in shaping biological form, and of distortion as a component of symmetrical systems, influenced the writings and practices of these artists, is explored, linking abstraction to legacies concerned with materiality and technique encountered earlier in Constructivism. Henderson’s photograms and ‘stressed photography’ are shown to be directly inspired by Thompson’s conception of form as a diagram of forces, and attest to a novel understanding of rules of symmetry in abstract form that may be seen in the dynamic processes at play in complex natural phenomena. How Moholy-Nagy explored these notions theoretically is examined, for example in his definition of drawing in Vision in Motion, which cites Thompson directly as a source of inspiration.     

D’Arcy Thompson’s Legacy in Contemporary Studies of Patterns and Morphology

Abstract

D’Arcy Thompson’s views on the forms of biomaterials are assessed in the light of current thinking on biomorphology in selected areas of biology. It is clear that his guiding concepts — that biological materials are structured in response to physical forces, and that the biological and abiotic realms share many common features — remain valid. Advances in the physical and biological sciences are discussed, from quantum mechanics and molecular biology to liquid crystalline materials and macroscopic forms. These reveal Thompson’s clear-sighted view of the role of physical and mathematical sciences in biology, as well as his blind-spots.     

超国家主义思潮与群体心理关系刍议

超国家主义思潮是一战后日本社会出现的一股右翼思潮。它以“改造与革新”为口号。它的形成与当时的国民心态密切相关。它是群体心理的集中反映。     

清代西安、兰州和太原的书院分布与选址

城市书院是城市文化发展的重要组成部分,清代城市书院在全国得到了普遍的发展。本文通过对清代西安、兰州和太原三个省会城市书院的时空分布及其选址特征的研究,以揭示三个城市之间书院文化差异的一个方面。清代三个省会城市书院的建立和发展有时段的差异,也有重心的变化。书院的选址和分布格局在观念、发展道路以及格局模式等方面有同有异。     

同光年间州县官选任制度的嬗变

同治光绪年间,由于捐纳、保举的扩张,州县候选人员激增,流品混杂。与此同时,各省督抚选用州县官常常不拘文法,突破成例。在上述背景下,清廷力图从多方面进行整顿,但多不能行。这一时期州县官选任制度的变化虽然只是在旧制基础上的渐变,然而这些问题却成为清末新政时期铨选制度改革的内在动因。     

上海城市休闲功能发展阶段与演变特征研究

本文基于对城市休闲功能概念的界定,分析了城市休闲功能的构成要素及内容,并以上海城市休闲功能发展为例,依据体闲服务设施配置重点和满足对象的变化,分析城市休闲功能的发展阶段与演变特征,并在此基础上,对上海城市休闲功能优化提出若干建议。     

试论诸葛亮的从政心理与丞相之路

面对曹、孙、刘三家争夺天下的政治局面 ,诸葛亮为何最终选择了刘备 ,这需要对他的从政心理作深层次的剖析。诸葛亮投奔刘备是根据自身条件作出的最明智的抉择。他看中的是刘备在军事和人力资源上的弱势 ,而不是为了拥刘反曹、中兴汉室。由于关羽成了诸葛亮丞相之路上的最大障碍 ,故其不惜假吴军之手翦除之。诸葛亮又运用权术分割了法正的部分权力。经过十余年的苦心经营 ,诸葛亮终于登上了丞相的宝座。     

探赜索隐 钩深致远——论魏晋六朝人物画风的演变

在中国绘画史上,魏晋六朝是中国人物画由汉代粗放简略的画风转向精致工整画风的时期,其内部也因不同时期的审美趣味蕴含了一一个整体性演变过程,显示出人物画风格成熟过程中诸多样式的艺术追求。     

清代学者利用金石资料研究唐代地理的成就及意义

清代是金石学研究的黄金时期,有关金石的著述层出不穷,研究成果亦蔚为可观。因唐代石刻在历代碑石中所占比重较大,故清代学者的金石研究成果中有关唐代历史的内容最为繁富,而墓志碑石的特殊性又决定了其中蕴含着大量地理方面的内容,因此清代金石研究中有关唐代地理的部分颇有价值。本文即从折冲府府名考逸、郡县之沿革隶属及地名讹误、佛教寺院、《长安志》考补等四个方面论述清代学者的研究成就,探讨这些成果的价值及其对今后唐史研究的借鉴意义。     

辛亥风云中的留日士官生

清末留日士官生是近代社会的一个特殊群体,辛亥革命发生之际他们发挥了军事骨干的作用,从他们革命意识的形成过程、成为革命勇士的客观条件、走上革命道路的政治保证和及参加革命的具体经过进行考察较能反映这一命题。     

发展繁荣社会主义文化的成功之路--"双百"方针、"二为"方向述论

从毛泽东到邓小平,从1956年提出"百花齐放,百家争鸣"的方针到1980年提出"文艺为人民服务,为社会主义服务"的方向,他们把马克思主义与中国革命和建设的实践相结合,制定了一套完整的社会主义文艺的总方针、总政策.在贯彻实施过程中,又根据实际情况提出"古为今用,洋为中用"等具体方针、政策、要求、办法,为中国探索出了一条发展繁荣社会主义文化的成功之路.     

董其昌《山水》册与《董范合参图》轴辨伪

上海博物馆藏董其昌《山水》册(共十开),为天启四年(1624)元旦所作,实并非董氏真迹。据考,该年四月董其昌才抵京。同时,该册对题均节录自董氏及明清书画著录著作与晚清文学笔记中,其第二开对题,与故宫博物院藏董氏癸酉(1633)夏五所作《董范合参图》轴题跋相同。再考《山水》册笔法,嫩弱飘浮,墨色平淡,与典型的董其昌风格相差甚远,更无其生拙秀逸之气;而《董范合参图》轴,用笔亦尖劲细碎,全幅墨气滞涩,艺术水准远不及故宫博物院藏董氏十二年前所作《仿古山水图》册,亦无法企及董氏卒前一年所作的《关山雪霁图》卷。可见,《山水》册和《董范合参图》轴非董氏本家之作。