Contemporary Arts 1.2

Space

When we say space, it can vary depending on what art discipline it pertains to. In visual arts, this may pertain to emptiness which may either be positive space or negative space. Positive space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape, while negative space refers to the opposite part which the shape is enclosing.

In other forms of art like literature and music, space may pertain to pauses and interval between lines or notes.

Line

In visual arts, a line is a series of points. It may come in two characteristics:

·         Form - curved, dotted, or broken

·         Direction - vertical, horizontal, or diagonal

Different types of lines may convey different meanings. For example, a horizontal line usually suggests calmness, as such is the case when viewing the horizon during sunset, vertical lines may convey loftiness, while diagonal lines may pertain dynamism.

In other disciplines like theater, this may pertain to the lines in the script. While in dance, it is the routine of steps as executed by the dancer.

Shape and Form

Shape is formed by connecting both ends of a line. Shapes are two dimensional figures with height and width. There are also different kinds of shapes as described below.

·         Geometric shapes are enclosed figures such as triangle, squares, and other structured figures

·         Organic shapes are shapes found in nature. They do not have a structured form as they are usually free flowing. Examples of these are the shape of a leaf or a cloud.

·         Abstract shapes are like organic shapes for they lack definition, but they are not necessarily found in nature. They are also asymmetrical and free flowing.

Similar to lines, shapes may contribute to meaning making when used in an artwork. For example, a circle is usually associated with love, harmony, and infinity such as the case of an engagement ring. Triangles, when upright, are seen to suggest stability because of its solid base, while it suggests tension when upside down. Meanwhile, a square or a rectangle suggests familiarity and equality.

Forms are three dimensional; it has the same dimensions as a shape except with added volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth and does not feel flat.

Color

In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our environment. Scientifically, when a light passes through a prism, it will produce different hues of different wavelengths. These colors may pertain to lightness or darkness, coolness or warmth. Also, colors may convey different meanings dependent to cultures and traditions of a region.

Value

In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which pertains to its lightness or darkness.

In music, this may refer to the pitch. It is the highness or the lowness of the sound.

Texture

In visual arts, texture is the tactile or illusory surface of the piece. In music, texture is the mood or quality of the composition.

Principles of Design

The elements of art may be organized in a way that it can create a more compelling artwork. This organization of elements is called principles of design. Understanding the elements and how they may go together will be of great help in improving, not just your artistic skills, but also your capacity to understand art.

Scale and Proportion

Scale and proportion refer to the relationship of the elements, specifically its relative size of parts of a whole. For example, when drawing a human standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the human is proportional to the house, which means ensuring that the size of the element suggests what they are - a human standing beside a house, as opposed to a human standing beside a doll house.

Harmony

In general, you can say an art piece is in harmony when the different parts produce an overall positive impact or effect. In visual arts, harmony is the unity of the artwork, specifically in reference to the arrangement of its parts, while in music, harmony refers to the simultaneous sounding or playing of different notes to produce a sound.

Variety

In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means adding multiple, different elements to break the monotony of an artwork and make it more interesting.

Movement

Movement is a basic principle of nature and is associated with the environment. All living things, non-living things, and heavenly bodies move naturally. Movement serves as one of the fundamental principles in dance and theater. In visual arts, an artwork has movement when it incorporates the passage of time, even in an illusory manner.

Rhythm

This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern. In visual arts, repeated design elements may create a certain flow and may lead the viewer’s eyes. In music, this refers to the even distribution of notes.

Balance

Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements. There are two types of balance in visual arts:

·         Informal balance, also called asymmetrical, is present when the designs are not equally distributed on both sides.

·         Formal balance, also called symmetrical, is present when the weight of the designs is equally distributed.

Emphasis and subordination

Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element. Subordination serves as the opposite of emphasis as it refers to how certain elements only serve as a supplement to the emphasized element in a design.