New book on folding the circle, available now
FOLDING circle TETRAHEDRA:
truth in the geometry of
Wholemovement
by Bradford Hansen-Smith
Price $43.00
Prefect bound, soft cover, black and white illustrated, 390 pages
Wholemovement Publications, Chicago IL, 2005
ISBN 0-9766773-0-x
Instructional writing, drawings and photographs in a step by step exploration of reconfiguring the circle using only the nine creases necessary to fold the regular tetrahedron. It has a lot of diverse information about the folding process; geometry, algebra, mathematical observations, transformational movement systems, classroom activities, and discussion about education and the importance of ethics revealed in the Wholemovement of the circle. There is demonstration on teaching geometry and algebra at the same time by engaging the observational, problem-solving mind with the hands-on folding activities. This process reveals primary patterns that are foundational in mathematics, the arts, and observed through out the natural world. This is an important beginning for 5 and 6 year old students, and new information for older students and teachers in both mathematics and the arts. There is much new information in this book; it stands on its own, being uniquely different from all other geometry books. This is an in-depth companion book for the more comprehensive "Geometry of wholemovement: folding the circle for information".
PREFACE
When we draw a circle without first having folded circles, we do not know what the image represents that we are drawing. Folding circles is experiential and generates information in a way not found in the drawn symbol. This book offers a direct and simple approach to understanding the inclusive nature of the circle through folding the tetrahedron as a primary function of the circle. In this book I have tried to stay to with what is basic to the nature of pattern and the formation process observed in folding circles. I have kept information that is easily accessible in other books to a minimum. The recognition of patterned information crosses all educational and cultural boundaries and is crucial to all fields of understanding, being particularly important in the development of young children. Through observations in folding and joining circles there is clarity about pattern of movement and the transforming process that occurs in what must be considered inherently Whole.
Wholemovement is a comprehensive understanding of the word geometry. It claims self-referencing movement of the Whole. There are levels of truth about our spatial universe that are inherently demonstrated in the Wholeness of the circle form. Were this not so, the circle could not do what it does nor could we construct what we do when we draw circles. A distinction is made between the circle as Whole and the circle as part, which is not possible with any other shape or form. The economics of the circle shows no waste, all parts are multi-functional and necessary for full expression of ongoing generation and reformation.
This book is limited to using and exploring the nine creased lines in the circle that come from folding the tetrahedron. The pictures and step-by-step instructions show a process that provides a wide range of possible directions and connections to be explored. Everything in this book can be made by anyone who is able to fold these 9 lines. Folding the circle in half forms a tetrahedron pattern that holds information to then systematically fold the regular formed tetrahedron, which appears fundamental to all spatial formations. By folding multiple reformed tetrahedral units and joining in various systems, a great variety can be developed of which many are known and surprisingly many more that are unknown.
When folding, we observe and reflect on what is generated within the circle, bringing out geometry functions, mathematical thinking, and awareness that helps us facilitate clarity in many areas of understanding. All the information that is accumulated with each proportional fold is always principled to the first movement and unity of the circle. Folding circles demonstrates an inclusive, comprehensive, consistent, principled, hands-on process of in-formation generation that is simple, direct, and accessible to anyone who can fold a circle in half.
Originally this book was to be about folding only the tetrahedron to demonstrate the fundamentals of geometry for primary grade level teachers. With continued exploration, the tetrahedron opened far beyond my expectations. I hope it still serves that initial intention, and at the same time offers the means to explore further into the richness of the circle and the primacy of the tetrahedron. This is a low tech, high yield process that requires we get in touch with our physical environment, that we respond to our mental universe, and that we open to the Divine creative spirit.
BH-S Jan. 2005
