Crazy Mazes : Labyrinths and Mazes in Art

This whimsical introduction to one of the world's oldest art forms shows young readers why labyrinths and mazes continue to fascinate and appeal today. No one knows where the first labyrinth or maze was created, but these archetypal structures have been found in ancient sites ranging from Crete to Ireland to the American Southwest. In this colorful, readable and entertaining guide to labyrinths and mazes of all sizes, materials, and ages, Silke Vry explains the basic elements of labyrinths and mazes and their many uses. Illustrated with examples of history's best known labyrinths and mazes, such as those at Knossos and the gothic cathedral at Chartres, to those found on palace lawns and in modern sculpture gardens, this delightful book encourages readers to create their own labyrinths and mazes. Along the way the author asks engaging questions about the appeal of getting lost; why we make visual puzzles; and how the idea of the labyrinth and maze may have originated. Children and their parents will find themselves drawn into these mysteriously appealing designs, which present a fascinating creative challenge for artists of any age.