Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice- 12th Edition: Ch. 2 Form

Accent

Any stress or emphasis given to the elements of a composition that brings them more attention than other features that surround or are close to them. __________ can be created by a brighter color, darker value, greater size or any other means by which a difference is expressed.

Allover Pattern

A design that is formed through the systematic repetition of smaller designed units over an entire surface.

Approximate Symmetry

The use of similar imagery on either side of a central axis. The visual material on one side may resemble that on the other but is varied to prevent visual monotony.

Asymmetry

Having unequal or non corresponding parts. An example: a two-dimensional artwork that, without any necessarily visible or implied axis, displays an un-even distribution of parts throughout.

Atectonic

Three-dimensional work characterized by considerable amounts of space; open, as opposed to massive, are often with extended appendages.

Balance

A sense of equilibrium between areas of implied weight, attention, attraction, or moments of force; one of the principles of organization.

Closure

A concept from Gestalt psychology in which the mind perceives an incomplete pattern or information to be a complete, unified whole; the artist provides minimum visual clues, and the observer brings them to final recognition.

Composition

The arranging and/or structuring of all the art elements, according to the principles of organization, that achieves a unified whole. Often used interchangeably with the term design.

Design

The organizing process or underlying plan on which artists base their total work. In a broader sense, __________ may be considered synonymous with the term form and composition.

Dominance

The principle of visual organization in which certain visual elements assume more importance than others within the same composition or design. Some features are emphasized, and others are subordinated. __________ is often created by increased contrasts through the use of isolation, placement, direction, scale and character.

Economy

The distillation of the image to the basic essentials for clarity of presentation; one of the principles of organization.

Gestalt

A German word for "form"; an organized whole in experience. Around 1912, the __________ psychologists promoted the theory that explains psychological phenomena by their relationships to total forms rather than by their parts. In other words, our reaction to the whole is greater than our reaction to it's individual parts or characteristics, and our minds integrate and organize chaotic stimuli so that we see complete patterns and recognizable shapes.

Golden Mean

1. "Perfect," harmonious proportions that avoid extremes; the moderation between extremes. 2. __________ section - a traditional proportional system for visual harmony expressed when a line or area is divided into two sections so that the smaller part is to the larger as the larger is to the whole. The ratio developed is 1:1.6180. . . or roughly 8:13.

Harmony

A principle of organization in which parts of a composition are made to relate through commonality-repeated or shared characteristics, elements, or visual units. __________ is the opposite of variety.

Interpenetration

The positioning of planes, objects, or shapes so that they appear to pass through each other, which locks them together within a specified area of space.

Kinetic

Based on a Greek word meaning "motion"; art that involves an element of random or mechanical movement.

Mobile

A three-dimensional, moving sculpture.

Moments of Force

The direction and degree of energy implied by the art elements in specific compositional situations; amounts of visual thrust produced by such matters as dimension, placement, and accent.

Motif

A designed unit or pattern that is repeated often enough in the total composition to make it a significant or dominant feature. __________ is similar to "theme" or "melody" in musical composition.

Movement

Eye travel directed by visual pathways in a work of art; one of the principles of organization. __________ is guided by harmonious connections, areas of variety, the placement of visual weights, areas of dominance, choices in proportions, spatial devices, and so on.

Pattern

1. Any artistic design (sometime serving as a model for imitation). 2. A repeating element and/or design that can produce a new set of characteristics or organization.

Principles of Organization

Concepts that guide the arrangement and integration of the elements in achieving a sense of visual order and overall visual unity. They are harmony, variety, balance, proportion, dominance, movement, and economy.

Proportion

The comparative relationship of size between units or parts of a whole. For example, the size of the Statue of Liberty's hand relates to the size of her head. __________ is one of the principles of organization.

Radial

Emanating from a center.

Repetition

The use of the same visual effect and/or similar visual effects a number of times in the same composition. __________ may produce the dominance of one visual idea, a feeling of harmonious relationship, an obviously planned pattern, or a rhythmic movement.

Rhythm

A continuance, a flow, or a sense of movement achieved by the repetition of regulated visual units; the use of measured accents.

Scale

The association of size related to a constant standard or specific unit of measure related to human dimensions. For example, the Statue of Liberty's __________ is apparent when she is seen next to an automobile.

Symmetry

The exact duplication of appearances in mirror like repetition on either side of a (usually imaginary) straight-lined central axis.

Tectonic

The quality of simple massiveness; three-dimensional work lacking any significant extrusions or intrusions.

Transparency

A visual quality in which a distant image or element can be seen through a nearer one.

Variety

Differences achieved by opposing, contrasting, changing, elaborating, or diversifying elements in a composition to add individualism and interest. __________ is an important principle of organization; the opposite of harmony.

Visual Unity

A sense of __________ oneness- an organization of the elements into a __________ whole. __________ results from the appropriate ratio between harmony and variety (in conjunction with the other principles of organization).