Examples of the flow of meaningful elements
(text, pictures and symbols) 
into regions that are not rectilinear


Some categories (suggestions welcome!)

Illuminated manuscripts

BookKellsChiRhoDetail of Book of Kells Illustrated Manuscript
Book of Kells -- Chi Rho and detail [1]


Illuminated manuscript, Book of Kells, see textDetail of Illuminated Manuscript, Book of Kells (see text)
Book of Kells -- Principit Matthew, and detail [2]

Illustrated Manuscript by Sue Symons – diptych
Illustrated Manuscript (circa, 2012)    [3]

Illuminated letters

Illuminated Letters -- Giovannino de' Grassi
Gothic letters from illuminated manuscript (ca. 1380)  [4]

La Grande Danse Macabre -- Illuminated Letters
La Grande Danse Macabre -- Illuminated Letters [6]

Alphabet made of human dance poses
Illuminated Letters (modern example) Alphabet Made from Human Poses
Illuminated Letters (modern example) [6] Alphabet Made from Human Poses (2013) [7] -- Alphabet Photography (R)



Word art

Examples of text flowing into shapes that illustrate the idea
Examples of text flowing into shapes that illustrate the idea  (2011) [8]

Typographic puns

Typographic Puns in accessible SVG (see SVG)
Typographic Puns as seen in "good" SVG viewer (2011) [9].

The word TWIST, twiseted by SVG/<replicate>
The word TWIST, twisted by SVG/<replicate>, (2011) [10]
Many other examples: here.

Calligrams

Lion drawn in Arabic calligraphy
Lion drawn in Arabic Calligraphy
Many other examples, in several languages: here.

Calligraphy

Turkish Islamic Calligraphy
Turkish Islamic Calligraphy [12]
"The Herea and Now" Calligraphy
The Here and Now -- Calligraphy [13]

Symbol arrangements

tree vector art -- symbols in the shape of a tree
tree vector art -- symbols in the shape of a tree [14]

Stained Glass

Stained Glass Window from Chartres Cathedral
Stained Glass Window from Chartres Cathedral [15]

Stained Glass window from St. Mary Aldermary Church, London,
Contemporary Stained Glass window from  St. Mary Aldermary Church,  London. [16]

the north rose of the Abbey of St Denis, Paris
 North rose of the Abbey of St Denis, Paris
"Symbolism-showing God the Creator, surrounded by the Days of Creation, the Order of the Heavens represented by the Zodiac
and the Order of Earth as represented by the Labours of the Months. In the corners are the Fall of Mankind." [17]

Currency

One dollar banknote, Canada, 1898One dollar banknote, Canada. 1898One dollar banknote, Canada, 1898
One dollar banknote, Canada, (1898) [18]

Coins
Veiled and diademed head of Concordia right, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS CONCORDIA around Central Arabic legends surrounded by Arabic legends; outer frame with five annulets. Coin of the Parthian king Artabanos II (circa 126 BC)
Veiled and diademed head of Concordia right, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS CONCORDIA around
L Aemilius Paullus standing to right of trophy, Perseus and his two sons captive on the left, [19]
Central Arabic legends surrounded by Arabic legends; outer frame with five annulets.
ISLAMIC DYNASTIES. Umayyads of Spain. Al-Hakim. 796-822 AD. [20]
Coin of the Parthian king Artabanos II (circa 126 BC) [21]

Coats of arms


Scan einer Couleurkarte des Corps Marchia Br�nn Escudo Municipio Scure -Zulia – Venezuela Studentenwappen des Corps Budissa Leipzig zu Passau
Scan einer Couleurkarte des Corps Marchia Br�nn [22] Escudo Municipio Scure -Zulia – Venezuela[23] Studentenwappen des Corps Budissa Leipzig zu Passau [24]

Cartoons

"The Mice are burying the Cat", a 1760s Russian lubok hand-coloured woodcut.
"'The Mice are burying the Cat', a 1760s Russian lubok hand-coloured woodcut. It probably originally dates from the reign of Peter the Great, but this impression probably dates from c. 1766. Possibly a satire on Peter's reforms, or just a representation of carnivalesque inversion, 'turning the world upside down'." [25]

Posters


Taking Woodstock Poster Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore Poster: Otis Rush, Grateful Dead - Canned Heat - by Wes Wilson
Taking Woodstock Poster [26] Jefferson Airplance at the Fillmore - Wes Wilson [27] Grateful Dead, Otis Rush, Canned Heat - Wes Wilson [28]

Album covers:

Album cover: Michael Jackson - Dangerous Detail of Michael Jackson album cover: Dangerous Album cover: Beatles Revolver
Album cover: Michael Jackson's Dangerous (1991) [29] Detail of left picture [30] Album cover: Beatles' Revolver (1966)[31]

UK Energy Flow Chart

Software visualization and Flow charts


Guide to Navigating NPR's Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

A Guide to Navigating NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books (2011) [32]

UK Energy Flow Chart
UK Energy Flow Chart (2012) [33]
Euler diagrams - Edward Dwyer, Microsoft
Euler diagrams - Dwyer (2012) [34]

Mindmapping and Thought mapping

Mind Map by Adam Sicinski
Mind Map (circa 2012) [35]

Experiment in Writing, 1972
Thought map: Experiment in Writing (1972) [36]

Maps


Eberstorfer Stitch Detail of Eberstorfer Stitch
Eberstorfer Stitch (ca. 1300) [37] Detail of Eberstorfer Stitch [37]
Above are examples of Mappae Mundi. The specific Eberstorfer map "was attributed to Gervase of Tilbury at around 1234 for some time, newer comparisions do date the original image into the year 1300 and no longer to that person. the original is lost due WW II. bombings but reproductions from facsimile copys and a digital reconstruction does exist. " [37]

Leo Belgicus (13th century map) Leo Belgicus (detail)
Leo Belgicus, map of Belgium (1611) [38] Leo Belgicus (detail) [38]

Map of Paris 1780 Detail of 1780 Map of Paris
Map of Paris from 1787, designed par Brion de la Tour [39]  Detail of Map of Paris (1787) [39]
"An extraordinary map of pre-Haussmann pre-Revolutionary Paris and the early Faubourgs (suburbs) issued in 1780, during the final decade of the French Monarchy. Covers Paris on Both sides of the Seine from the Ecole Militaire to the Hospital de la Roquette, extends north as far as Montmarte and south roughly to Les Gobelins. Produced at the height of French dominance of the cartographic arts, this map is a masterpiece of the engraver's art. Individual buildings, fields, streets, hills, valleys, orchards, and public gardens are revealed in breathtaking detail. We can even see the incomplete state of the northern wing of the Louvre Palace. There is an elaborate street index on either side of the map. An allegorical neoclassical title cartouche featuring war trophies appears in the upper right quadrant. This type of map, known as a pocket or case map, is designed with the traveler in mind and while it displays beautifully unfolded, is designed to fold and fit in a vest or coat pocket. It accordance with its purpose, the map has been dissected and mounted on linen in 24 sections. This system was devised in the 18th century to protect folding maps against damage caused by repeated folding and unfolding. The linen backing absorbs the stress of folding and can easily be mended or replaced, thuis preserving the integrity of the actual paper document. Folded this map fits into a beautiful brown tooled leather slip case, which is included." [39]

Art (plain and simple)


Native American
Monolito de la Piedra del Sol detail of monolito
Monolith of the Rock of the Sun (Aztec Calendar) [40] Detail [40]

Book Jacket: Hilary Stewart "Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast"Book Jacket: Primitive Art by Franz Boas
Book Jacket:  "Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast,"Hilary Stewart (1979) [41]Book Jacket: "Primitive Art," Franz Boas (1927) [42]

Amitayus Mandala
Amitayus Mandala [43]
"At the center is the Buddha of long-life Amitayus, red in colour with one face and two hands placed in the mudra of meditation, holding a golden vase of long-life nectar. Adorned with a crown, gold and jewel ornaments and variously coloured silks, he sits in vajra posture on a moon disc and lotus blossom. Eight identical forms surround the central figure. In the east is Vajra Amitayus, south Ratna Amitayus, west Padma Amitayus, north Karma Amitayus. In the northeast is Avaloka Amitayus, southeast Guna Amitayus, southwest Jnana Amitayus and northwest Achala Amitayus." [43a]



Yellow Submarine -- derivative art
Yellow Submarine -- derivative art [44]

Dada:

kleine Dada Soir
kleine Dada Soir Theo van Doesburg. Poster Kleine Dadasoir�e Haagsche K.K. [proof]. December 1922 - 10 January 1923. Lithography [45]

Evening of the Bearded House
Evening of the Bearded Heart, Zdanevich (1923) [46]

Cubism:

Air Man Space
Air Man Space, Popova (1912) [47]

the-aficionado-the-torero
the Aficionado, the Torero Picasso, (1912) [48]

The(a)mes Martin
The(a)mes-Bride, Dailey (2012) [49]

Digital Impressionism -- London Street scene
The(a)mes:Market1456, Dailey (2012) [50]

Tatoos:  

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SiJ4xtNyMH4/TDy6U967JUI/AAAAAAAADbk/KI6jOIcmF00/s1600/tatoos.sized.jpg


References

[1]  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/KellsFol034rChiRhoMonogram.jpg as seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells  .
[2]  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/KellsFol029rIncipitMatthew.jpg as seen at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells  .
[3]  Sue Symons – diptych – on display in Bath Abbey, England 2012. (photograph by author)
[4]   http://www.codices-illustres.it/catalogo/giovannino_de_grassi/index_files/Aperto.jpg from Taccuino di disegni di Giovannino de' Grassi
[5]  http://users.telenet.be/thomasweynants/images/dansemacabre/Alphabet.jpg from Pictorial Media Archaeology by Thomas Weynants
[6]  Inline from http://mondomagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/handjobpg78.jpg  from http://mondomagazine.net/
[7]  From http://www.alphabetphotography.com/human_alphabet.aspx from Alphabet Photography
[8]  Google search for "shape poems"  from  Geometric Accessibility: Who needs SVG? -- David Dailey & Whitfield 2011
[9] Typographic puns (as seen in Opera (old)) from  Geometric Accessibility: Who needs SVG? -- David Dailey & Whitfield 2011
[10]  Twist (bitmap of  http://srufaculty.sru.edu/david.dailey/svg/text/plastic8.svg ) from  Geometric Accessibility: Who needs SVG? -- David Dailey & Whitfield 2011
[11] Lion in Arabic calligraphy by Everitte Gurney Barbee. Inline from http://arabiangazette.com/discovering-arabic-calligraphy/
[12]  Turkish Islamic Calligraphy. Inline from Showcase of Inspiring Arabic Calligraphy Artworks  By Humza Mehbub.
[13]  Hand drawn calligraphy from http://blog.designojek.com/2010/04/13/hand-drawn-calligraphy/
[14]  Abstract Tree Vector Art from http://all-free-download.com/free-vector/abstract-tree-vector-illustration.html
[15]  Stained glass window at Chartres Cathedral Inline from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Notre-Dame_de_Chartres
[16] Glass2629 from  St. Mary Aldermary Church,  London, 2012. (photograph by author)
[17]  North rose of the Abbey of St Denis, Paris  Inline from Basilica St. Denis at Wikipedia
[18] Picture of one dollar banknote Canada 1898 Inline from Wikimedia File:Dominion of Canada one Dollar banknote of 1898.jpg
[19] http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aemilia10_5.jpg
Veiled and diademed head of Concordia right, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS CONCORDIA around
L Aemilius Paullus standing to right of trophy, Perseus and his two sons captive on the left, PAVLVS in ex.
[20]  AR Dirhem (27mm, 2.68 gm). al-Andalus (Cordoba) mint. Dated 191 AH (807 AD). from Wikimedia  File:Al Andalus dirham 76119.jpg
[21] Coin of the Parthian king Artabanos II (circa 126 BC)  from Wikimedia File:Artabanosiia.jpg
[22] Scan einer Couleurkarte des Corps Marchia Br�nn from Wikimedia File:Marchia Br�nn.jpg
[23] http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escudo_Sucre_Zulia.svg
Escudo Municipio Scure -Zulia – Venezuela
[24] Studentenwappen des Corps Budissa Leipzig zu Passau from Wikimedia File:Corps Budissa (Wappen).jpg
[25]  "The Mice are burying the Cat" from Wikimedia File:Mice-burying-the-cat.jpg
[26]  Taking Woodstock Poster from IMP Awards
[27] Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore By Wes Wilson from http://www.wes-wilson.com/bill-graham-presents.html
[28] Grateful Dead, Otis Rush, Canned Heat from Graphic Design History and Theory by Wes Wilson
[29] Michael Jackson: Dangerous, album cover from Wikimedia File:Michaeljacksondangerous.jpg
[30] detail of [29] from blogspot
[31] Beatles Revolver Album Cover from  Wikimedia File:Revolver.jpg
[32]  A Guide to Navigating NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books from SF Signal 
[33] UK Energy Flow Chart via http://simulacra.blogs.casa.ucl.ac.uk/2011/03/charting-uk-energy-flows/ from Department of Energy and Climate Change (UK).
[34] Euler diagrams - from the work of Edward Dwyer, Microsoft Corp., 2012, as presented at Euler Diagrams 2012
[35] Mind Map , Adam Sicinski, ca. 2012,   from Mind Map Art .
[36] Thought map: Experiment in Writing ,  David Dailey, 1972, from Why SVG is going to be Really Big  as presented at SVG Open 2009.
[37]  Ebstorfer World Map, circa 1300,  from Mappa Mundi Wikipedia 2013.
[38] Leo Belgicus , Jodocus Hondius,  1611 from Leo Belgicus Wikipedia 2013..
[39] Nouveau Plan Routier de la Ville et Faubourgs de Paris. from File:1780 Esnauts and Rapilly Case Map of Paris - Geographicus - Paris-esnautsrapilly-1780.jpg
by Esnaut and Rapilly 
[40] Rock of the Sun: Aztec Calendar Stone from Aztec Calendar Wikipedia 2013 (see, also modern enhancement )
[41] Book Jacket:  "Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast," Hilary Stewart, publ. University of Washington Press.
[42] Book Jacket:  "Primitive Art," Franz Boas (1927), publ. Dover Press (1955).
[43] Amitayus Mandala from File:Amitayus Mandala.jpeg  Wikimedia  (2013)
[43a]  Quote from wisdom.matrix (2013)
[44] http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/001/6/c/yellow_submarine_by_dougazevedo-d3674v7.jpg
from http://dougazevedo.deviantart.com/
[45] kleine Dada Soir  Theo van Doesburg. Poster Kleine Dadasoir�e Haagsche K.K.(December 1922 - 10 January 1923) as seen at Dada Wikipedia (2013) 
[46] Evening of the bearded heart “Soir�e du Coeur � Barbe" Ilya Zdanevich,” 1923  from L:aura@PopDesign 
[47] Air Man Space (1912)   Lyubov_Popova  Wikipedia (2013)
[48]  the-aficionado-the-torero Picasso (1912)
from http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/pablo-picasso/the-aficionado-the-torero-1912
[49] The(a)mes-Bride,  Enhanced photo (by author) of interior of St. Bride's on Fleet (London) David Dailey (2012)
[50] The(a)mes:Market1456, Enhanced photo (by author) of market (Southside, London) David Dailey (2012)