Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice- 12th Edition: Ch. 4 Shape

Actual Shape

a positive area with clearly defined boundaries

Amorphous Shape

a shape without clear definition: formless, indistinct, and of uncertain dimension

Biomorphic Shape

an irregular shape that resembles the freely developed curves found in living organisms

Cubism

the name given to the painting styles invented by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque between 1907 and 1912, which used multiple views of objects to create the effect of three-dimensionality while acknowledging the two-dimensional surface of the picture plane. Signaling the beginning of abstract art, it is a semiabstract style that continued the strong trend away from representational art initiated by Cezanne in the late 1800s

Curvilinear

a shape whose boundaries consist of predominantly curved lines; the opposite of rectilinear.

Decorative

ornamenting or enriching, but more importantly in art, stressing the two-dimensional nature of an artwork or any of its elements. __________ art emphasizes the essential flatness of a surface.

Equivocal Space

a condition, usually intentional on the artist's part, in which the viewer may, at different times, see more than one set of relationships between art elements or depicted objects. This may be compared to the familiar "optical illusion"

Geometric Shape

a shape that appears, usually simple, such as a triangle, rectangle, or circle.

Implied Shape

a shape that does not physically exist but is suggested through the psychological connection of dots, lines, areas, or their edges.

Kinetic Art

from the Greek word meaning motion, art that involves an element of actual movement

Mass

1. In graphic art, a shape that appears to stand out three-dimensionally from the space surrounding it or creates the illusion of a solid body of material. 2. In the plastic arts, the physical bulk of a solid body of material

Objective

that which is based, as closely as possible, on physical actuality or optical perception. Such art tends to appear natural or real

Perspective

Any graphic system used to create the illusion of three-dimensional images and/or spatial relationships in which the objects or their parts appear to diminish as they recede into the distance

Planar

shapes that have height and width but no indication of thickness; having to do with planes

Plane

1. An area that is essentially two-dimensional, having height and width. 2. A two dimensional pictorial surface that can support the illusion of advancing or receding elements. 3. A flat sculptural surface.

Plastic (shape)

1. Elements used in such a manner as to create the third dimension on a two-dimensional surface. 2. Three-dimensional art forms, such as architecture, sculpture, and ceramics

Rectilinear Shape

a shape whose boundaries consist of straight lines; the opposite of curvilinear.

Shape

an area that stands out from its surroundings because of a defined or implied boundary or because of differences of value, color, or texture

Silhouette

the area between or bounded by the contours, or edges, of an object; the total shape

Subjective

That which is derived from the mind, instead of physical reality, and reflects a personal bias, emotion, or innovative

Surrealism

A style of artistic expression, influenced by Freudian psychology, that emphasizes fantasy and whose subjects are usually experiences revealed by the subconscious mind through the use of automatic techniques (rubbings, doodles, blots, cloud patterns, etc. ). Originally a literary movement that grew out of Dadaism, ___________ was established by a literary manifesto written by Andre Breton in 1924.

Three-Dimensional

Possesses, or creates the illusion of possessing, the dimension of depth, as well as the dimensions of height and width. In the graphic arts, the feeling of depth is an illusion, while in the plastic arts, the work has actual depth.

Two-Dimensional

Possessing the dimensions of height and width, especially when considering a flat surface or picture plane.

Void

1. An area lacking positive substance and consisting of negative space. 2. A spatial area within an object that penetrates and passes through it.

Volume

A measurable amount of defined, three dimensional space.