1. What is Repetition, Pattern, and Rhythm?

2. Repetition, pattern, and rhythm in a Buddhist mandala

3. This scroll includes all three of these elements: repetition, rhythm, and pattern. Repetition is seen throughout the mandala in the repetition of figures. This is most evident in the center and the area immediately surrounding the center of the mandala. Pattern can be found in the areas where there are repeated figures that are different in size but follow a regular, ordered arrangement in their recurrence. Rhythm can be seen in the two outermost layers, especially the second one from the edge, with a black background.  Differing sizes of similar figures are repeated, with variations in their order and grouping.

4. Repetition is an object, form, or figure that is repeated.

5. Donald Judd: repetition as a minimalist
Donald Judd, untitled (1969/1982),
anodized aluminum  each of 10 boxes 6 x 27 x 24 inches

6. Easter Island: Ahu Tongariki, repetition as intimidation
Imagine encountering  this row of 15 moai, overwhelming in size and able to be seen from a far distance. The height of the moai is more than twice the height of the average human. The largest one is 33 feet high.  Imagine seeing one lone moai on the coast, compared to a row of 15 of them.
Ahu Tongariki on Easter Island. c CE

7. Do-Ho Suh: Public Figures--a monument to many
This artwork uses repetition to make a statement
Do-Ho Suh uses repetition in much of his work, as a profound statement about the value of each individual within a larger group. In this sculpture, each figure is different from the others although they appear as a single entity. As a group they carry the immense weight of history and the actions of every person, great or small. 

8. Pattern is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement.
Ghanaian kente cloth

9. Islamic spiritual art does not allow the incorporation of imagery, so pattern is used to convey spiritual principles. This is a detail of a wall from the Alhambra in Spain, one of many, each with complex multilayered patterns that appear to
mimic aspects
of the natural
world.

10. Pattern as decoration
We are all familiar with the use of pattern as decoration, from clothing, to everyday objects, to home decorating . This is an example of an elaborate use of pattern in home decoration.

11. Rhythm is most easily understood within music
Rhythm is most easily understood within music. Rhythm represents our desire for order. Rhythm is like our own heartbeat; it gives us a sense of the pulsing of life.

12. Grant Wood: rolling fields and plains of the Midwest
"I  realized that all the really good ideas I'd ever had came to me while I was milking a cow. So I went back to Iowa. " 
Grant Wood

13. Vincent Van Gogh: personal vision of the night sky
“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day”
Vincent Van Gogh

14. Rhythm in an ancient Minoan fresco
In this fresco, notice the varied repetition of the figures, the hair, hands. and clothes. The graceful variations in these elements impart a graceful rhythm to the fresco.