Tessellations in Art: How Simple Shapes Create Complex Designs

Tessellations are geometric designs created by repeating shapes in a way that fills a plane without any gaps or overlaps. This concept, rooted in ancient art and mathematics, has inspired countless artists, mathematicians, and architects across the centuries. At its core, a tessellation is based on simple shapes like triangles, squares, and hexagons that, when repeated, form intricate patterns. This simple concept can produce endless complexity, depending on how shapes are arranged and colored.

Historically, tessellations have been used in the intricate tilework of Islamic architecture, where religious beliefs prohibited the depiction of figures, leading artists to explore geometry as an art form. The Alhambra in Spain, with its extensive tessellated mosaics, is a prime example of this tradition. M.C. Escher, a renowned 20th-century artist, expanded on this by creating tessellations with interlocking shapes that resemble birds, fish, and other figures, pushing the boundaries of this mathematical art form.

In modern applications, tessellations appear in everything from fashion patterns to wallpaper designs and even urban planning. Artists and designers use tessellations to create visual harmony and rhythm, captivating viewers with their seamless, repetitive structures. Tessellations remind us of the inherent beauty in geometry and how even the simplest shapes, through repetition and symmetry, can create striking visual compositions.