Dominoes are versatile and enduring toys that can be used for a variety of games. Their long lines can be stacked in complex patterns that result in an exciting and entertaining spectacle when they are toppled. Some people even use them as art pieces.
Domino, the name of this popular toy, translates to “falling block,” but its origins are somewhat obscure. It’s thought to have evolved from two separate senses, both of which relate to the falling action. In English, domino first referred to a type of long hooded cloak worn with a mask for carnival season or at a masquerade; the word came to be used as a play on words to refer to the game piece itself. In French, it earlier meant a cape worn over a priest’s surplice.
Today, domino has a number of different uses, from basic blocking and scoring games to the more elaborate puzzles that are popular in a number of cultures. The simplest dominoes have a single pips on one end and a number of other pips on the other, which are used to represent combinations of throws of a six-sided die. A domino that has a matching pair of pips is considered a match, and players win the game when they have matched all their tiles.
Most domino games involve playing against an opponent. The dominoes are arranged on a flat surface, with the player to the left of the dealer choosing a piece from the stock (known as the boneyard in the US). If that tile has a matching pair of pips, it is placed on top of the existing dominoes and a new turn begins. This continues until one player has all their tiles played or none of them can be matched.
In the world of domino art, large amounts of dominoes are used to create spectacular creations, from curved lines and grids that form pictures to 3D structures like towers and pyramids. Artists such as Hevesh have a knack for creating these displays that are mesmerizing when they are set in motion.
One of the things that has made Hevesh so successful is her willingness to break the rules and try something a bit unconventional. For instance, her recent project involved a giant dome with a hole in it and hundreds of dominoes on each side.
Hevesh’s work shows the importance of having an open mind when it comes to domino art. She is also keen on collaborating with other artists to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with this versatile medium.
Hevesh’s collaborations with other artists have pushed the limits of what domino can do in the realm of art and entertainment. But what’s perhaps most important about her work is the way it reflects upon the culture of her generation and how she and her fellow artists use technology to express themselves. This is what gives the art a modern, edgy appeal and keeps it fresh.