Literature Review #2

 

Citation: 

Taylor, Richard. “The Crop Circle Evolves.” Nature, vol. 465, no. 7299, NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2010, pp. 693–693, doi:10.1038/465693a.

Summary: 

The article “The crop circle evolves” by Richard Taylor talks about how crop circles have evolved from when they were first discovered to now. Taylor discusses the two early artists named Douglas Bower and David Chorley who started making crop circles in the 70s. Crop circles had started to become more intricate and complex as the years went by and also interested people. A wave of crop artists arose and started creating crop circles around the world, each with its own unique touch to it. With the complexity of crop circles increased, new design methods are also being incorporated such as mathematics and nature. Crop circles have evolved in terms of patterns since nowadays patterns are made using computers. Taylor discusses the evolution of crop circles in their methods and complexity and how they have created a new form of art.

Author: 

Richard Taylor is a professor of physics, psychology, and art in the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon. I believe that Taylor is knowledgeable because he is a professor of art, therefore, has a background knowledge on the techniques and methods in the art. This enables him to understand crop circles and the different methods of art it incorporates.

Key Terms: 

Evolution: the process of development

Complexity: state of being intricate

Quotes:

“A second wave of crop artists then emerged, cultivating hundreds of increasingly sophisticated pictographs that have appeared annually around the globe.”(Taylor)

“Over the past five years, such complexity has driven the emerging organic movement, which embeds the mathematical patterns within boundaries that are reminiscent of nature's forms.”(Taylor)

“Modern construction methods have helped: today's patterns are mapped out using computers, laser pointers, and satellite equipment, and artists work in coordinated teams.”(Taylor)

Value: 

This article will help me explore my research question since it provides information about how crop circles have changed over time through the methods in creation and complexity. The discussion of the crop circles adds insight into the methods that are adapted to create crop circles in modern times. It will help me examine how crop circles have become this new form of art.