Art's Explorer #4: Looking for Patterns in Urban Settings & Nature

Art Word of the Week: Pattern

For our blog this week we had to stroll around the city or our neighbourhood and find patterns of any kind that were embedded in nature or urban settings around us. Patterns can be seen all around us and what one person may think is not a pattern may be considered a pattern to someone else with different perspectives and thoughts. Patterns can be defined as "a mark of design that is repeated in some recurring sequence" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 367). I definitely agree with that definition and to me, patterns are extremely interesting and surprisingly, can be around on a number of things and in many places such as, fabric for clothing, on furniture, on walls, flooring, buildings, paintings, drawings, etc.

Condo in Mississauga.

For me, patterns stand out in buildings – well architecture in general. Architecture is a great love of mine and whenever I go somewhere new that I haven’t visited before, whether it’s a new city or just to a friend’s house, I’m constantly looking at and admiring the architecture of the buildings around me. Therefore, for this blog I have chosen to scope out and take pictures of patterns that are incorporated into the architecture around the city.

The photos of the three buildings shown are just normal apartment and condominium buildings around the city. However, they are not really that “normal” to me. I cannot even say exactly how many times I have driven by these buildings but every single time I do, I always find myself turning to look at them because they stand out so much to me. They are so unique and different and some people may not have picked the buildings that I have chosen to be considered patterns but when I look at these buildings, I see beautiful, inspiring designs and patterns all over the place. Patterns in buildings, whether it's columns, windows or colours, are all aspects of patterns that make up the architecture of the building itself. Patterns can be any specific design that consist of ornate and fancy designs, symmetrical or asymmetrical and sequenced or alternating (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). The pictures that I have taken of the three different buildings all acquire the characteristics of patterns that I have listed above. They are all unique in their own way and contribute to the culture and individuality of the city around us.

Apartment building in Mississauga

My love for architecture began in the middle of high school when I actually had an aspiration to become an architect. I actually took course in school and was very serious about it. I, of course, have changed my mind since then but my love for it hasn’t gone away. It still very much interests me and will forever be a topic of interest in my life. The patterns and designs that are put into architecture never fail to amaze and impress me as architects all over the world continue to push the limits of what can be designed and built in society. These three buildings continue to wow me as I drive around Mississauga and they will forever remind me of my love for architecture.

Apartment building in Mississauga.

Patterns are fascinating & wild...

Patterns are creative & subtle...

Patterns make everything unique...

Patterns are everywhere and everything.

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J. E. (2009). Art & Creative Development for Young Children. Clifton  Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.