selections from sweep
the exploration of a word in multiple directions
SWEEP. To move in a continuous curve or circuit.
#1
A SEQUENCE OF A LOCOMOTIVE GOING AROUND A CIRCULAR TRACK WITHOUT AN APPARENT BEGINNING OR END. HOW FAST THE TRAIN IS MOVING, AND HOW IT IS PROPELLED IS NO MORE DEFINED THAN HOW FAR IT WILL TRAVEL.
By drawing two views of the train, a "coming" and "going", by describing two events that occur at different times along the circular track, MOTION is described. The advantage of an AERIAL PERSPECTIVE (IN PLAN), that is, a view of the activity from above where the entire event can be seen at one time, would be difficult to experience from the ground.
Similarly, MAPS, CHARTS and DIAGRAMS provide an overview of situations, events and information on a wide scale and from many vantage points.
The train is an American Flyer "Pennsylvania K-5 Locomotive and Tender."
#1
A SEQUENCE OF A LOCOMOTIVE GOING AROUND A CIRCULAR TRACK WITHOUT AN APPARENT BEGINNING OR END. HOW FAST THE TRAIN IS MOVING, AND HOW IT IS PROPELLED IS NO MORE DEFINED THAN HOW FAR IT WILL TRAVEL.
By drawing two views of the train, a "coming" and "going", by describing two events that occur at different times along the circular track, MOTION is described. The advantage of an AERIAL PERSPECTIVE (IN PLAN), that is, a view of the activity from above where the entire event can be seen at one time, would be difficult to experience from the ground.
Similarly, MAPS, CHARTS and DIAGRAMS provide an overview of situations, events and information on a wide scale and from many vantage points.
The train is an American Flyer "Pennsylvania K-5 Locomotive and Tender."
SWEEP. To move in a continuous curve or circuit.
#2
A SEQUENCE OF A BIRD PASSING OVER A CLUSTER OF HOUSES THROUGH ACCOMPANYING CHANGES OF WEATHER, AROUND A CYCLE OF SEASONS.
The drawing describes four separate places experiencing four types of weather, at four different times. In fact, we are dealing with the same group of houses throughout the changing seasons, and the same bird is circling over the same rooftops. As in the previous drawing an attempt is made to get around the limitation of one vantage point on the ground. In this situation, so as to replace the time spent standing, or flying for that matter, viewing the houses, for a full year.
FROM ABOVE, in plan, we begin to consider the relative movements of snow, wind, sunshine, rain, seasons, birds and years.
A SEQUENCE OF A BIRD PASSING OVER A CLUSTER OF HOUSES THROUGH ACCOMPANYING CHANGES OF WEATHER, AROUND A CYCLE OF SEASONS.
The drawing describes four separate places experiencing four types of weather, at four different times. In fact, we are dealing with the same group of houses throughout the changing seasons, and the same bird is circling over the same rooftops. As in the previous drawing an attempt is made to get around the limitation of one vantage point on the ground. In this situation, so as to replace the time spent standing, or flying for that matter, viewing the houses, for a full year.
FROM ABOVE, in plan, we begin to consider the relative movements of snow, wind, sunshine, rain, seasons, birds and years.
SWEEP. To move in a continuous curve or circuit.
#3
A SEQUENCE OF A TRAIN MOVING IN A CLOCKWISE PATH WITH A BIRD, ABOVE IT, ORBITING AROUND THE PATH IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
The drawing is worked out on a POLAR EQUATION GRAPH.* The pattern of repeated, concentric circles laid over a network of lines which project, like the spokes of a wheel, from the center, sets the surface in motion. The speed of the train is described through a PROGRESSION of drawings which repeat and overlap, in a chain-like fashion, and change in intensity from dark to light. A similar progression is used (with the aid of a STENCIL) on the moving bird, which is mechanically rooted to the ground and kept to a defined path by the arm that restrains it.
The contrasts in direction and speed between the circling train, the rotating bird, the "projecting" graph and the free floating bird moving across the page, offer a great number of possible relationships.
*A Polar Equation Graph is used to locate and describe the position of a given point or place, in relation to an original reference point. The reference point is called a POLE. The line between the pole and the distant point is called THE POLAR AXIS. The DISTANCE and the DIRECTION from the pole to the point are called the COORDINATES of that position.
#3
A SEQUENCE OF A TRAIN MOVING IN A CLOCKWISE PATH WITH A BIRD, ABOVE IT, ORBITING AROUND THE PATH IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
The drawing is worked out on a POLAR EQUATION GRAPH.* The pattern of repeated, concentric circles laid over a network of lines which project, like the spokes of a wheel, from the center, sets the surface in motion. The speed of the train is described through a PROGRESSION of drawings which repeat and overlap, in a chain-like fashion, and change in intensity from dark to light. A similar progression is used (with the aid of a STENCIL) on the moving bird, which is mechanically rooted to the ground and kept to a defined path by the arm that restrains it.
The contrasts in direction and speed between the circling train, the rotating bird, the "projecting" graph and the free floating bird moving across the page, offer a great number of possible relationships.
*A Polar Equation Graph is used to locate and describe the position of a given point or place, in relation to an original reference point. The reference point is called a POLE. The line between the pole and the distant point is called THE POLAR AXIS. The DISTANCE and the DIRECTION from the pole to the point are called the COORDINATES of that position.
© 1979 BY PAUL ZELEVANSKY
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY ASSEMBLING PRESS
ALL DEFINITIONS WERE SELECTED FROM THE RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - UNABRIDGED EDITION © 1966
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY ASSEMBLING PRESS
ALL DEFINITIONS WERE SELECTED FROM THE RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE - UNABRIDGED EDITION © 1966