Inversions: A catalog of calligraphic cartwheels

by Scott Kim

Backword by Jef Raskin

"Inversions" are words that read the same upside down or in a mirror. Or words cleverly hidden inside other words. Each has something to fool the eye, a special visual trick; at the same time the words Kim has chosen to illustrate in this imaginative catalog of challenging visual wordplay reflect the idea of symmetry, both in art and in science.

Sixty pages of images portray short and long words, words describing symmetries, variations on Gödel, Escher, Bach and on calligraphic themes, and contemporary, historical, and personal names. They are followed by an illustrated text that explores the skills that go into making symmetry, vision, and letterforms; processes and examples; and associations with music, wordplay, and art. The book is designed so that the text is also symmetrical - what is said in the lefthand column of a page frequently matches the meaning of what is said in the righthand column.

Scott Kim is a PhD. candidate in computer science and graphic design at Stanford University.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art Design, Psychology, Mathematics

Paperback

First published November 30, 1980

Reviews

[Scottekim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm the author, so I'm biased. This was the first book of ambigrams (symmetrical lettering). About half the lettering designs still hold up...pretty good for a first time author. I'm eager to make a new version of this book, perhaps for iPad.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book relating math, words, and art!

[Andrew Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fascinating collection of textual images from artist Scott Kim. Since a name for the style didn't exist, he calls them "inversions," since the goal is to have them legible when rotated on an axis. About half the book is different images, followed by some purpose on his process.

[David Alonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fascinated by the art of MC Escher. So . . . I found this book fascinating. Also puzzle lovers would probably love it as well. I am also fascinated by how JS Bach put canons, inventions, and fugues together.

While this book, like all books, is made of words, a large majority of the words can be described as art - visual art. Much of it is easier just to see than to describe or explain. For example if you look at the front cover of the book you will see that “Inversions,” the title of the book, when turned upside down is “Scott Kim,” the name of the author.

[Margaret Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will change how you see letters. For good. Scott Kim invented this idea and then went on to dazzle everyone with his virtuosity. Amazing. I found it in the 1980s thanks to Scientific American. Calligrapher or psychologist, you'll love it.

[Jenny Schmenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love M.C. Escher, if you love the alphabet, if you love symmetry or puzzles, check this out. It's beautiful and challenging.