Reading Summary 9/2/10

Intro to Gestalt

Gestalt is the German word for entire figure or configuration. Organization is important because it is the reflection of how the brain functions.
There are four aspects of gestalt:
1.Closure – understand the form as a whole
2.Proximity – distance between the parts that make up a form
3.Continuance – part of form overlaps itself or an adjacent form
4.Similarity – elements similar in size seem to be related
Depth and Perspective:
Depth creates contrast and creates purpose and meaning. A 3-dimensional figure contains depth and a 2-dimensional figure contains an illusion of depth created through visual representations.
Perspective is created through the use of lines to depict a 3-D form on a 2-D surface.
Visual Weight and Balance:
Visual weight is the sum of a form's components and is related to mass and energy. It is influenced by size and color. It may also be referred to as the degree of equilibrium in a composition.
Symmetry can create a stable form even after being divided diagonally, vertically, and horizontally.
Asymmetry creates an active form because when it is divided the resulting sides are not symmetrical. It creates a sense of movement.

Formal Matters

-Form is the set of visual elements such as line, scale, shape, size, composition, and color. It is also the means by which one gives substance to an idea.
Defining Form:
Formalist works are highly focused on their formal events because these create an aesthetic appearance. These are shape, color, and materiality. Modernism works are judged as a thing and are flat. Abstraction is nonrepresentational.
-Line – most basic mark, can be chaotic, thick, thin, fast, or slow.
-Color – emotional content
-Composition – arrangement of lines and shapes, make meaning out of a painting
-Fields – patterns across a picture plane
-Edges – Separate areas of color or shape
-Scale – work's size in relation to the world around it and relation of its parts
-Format – shape and proportions of a pictorial surface

Principles of Form and Design

What is Design?
A process of purposeful visual creation
Fills practical needs
Essence of “something”

Elements of Design
1.Conceptual elements
2.Visual elements
3.Relational elements
4.Practical elements
-Conceptual elements are not visible and are represented by point, line, plane, and volume.
-Visual elements are the most prominent parts of a design and are represented by shape, size, color, and texture.
-Relational elements govern the placement of shapes in a design and are represented by direction, position,      space, and gravity.
-Practical elements are the content and extension of a design and are represented by meaning, function, and representation.
Interrelationships of Forms:
When two circles put together eight different interrelationship forms.
Detachment – forms separated even though they are close together
Touching – move them close together and they touch
Overlapping – move circles closer and they overlap
Inter penetration – same as overlapping but seems transparent
Union – two forms joined together
Subtraction – invisible form crosses over visible form
Intersection – like interpenetration but the other form is visible
Coinciding – two circles become one

Form/Composition

Dot: can take any shape and is the visual expression of a point

Line: Connection of two or more dots, creates shapes, divides space, and can connote emotional qualities

Plane: Area outlined by lines

Volume: Product of dots, line and planes, is an illusion of a three-dimensional form on a two- dimensional surface

Characteristics of Form:
Size measures height and length
Shape is the external outline of a form
Texture is visual in a two-dimensional form and is the sum of visual components that create unified grouping
Color is value (light and dark)
Defining Composition:
Composition is the arrangement of elements within a defined area. It conveys a specific meaning and seeks harmony.
-Simplicity and Complexity:
Simplicity forms with a limited number of simple elements.
Complexity can reveal subtleties of an idea.
-Order of Chaos:
Chaos brings clarity, but the design involves orderly structures and intent.
-Proportions:
Size relationships between parts of a form.
Attention and Hierarchy:
Attention makes the components stand out before others. The dominant area is known as the focal point.
Hierarchy makes a composition more active and engaging.
Contrast:
Attention is created through contrast. Contrast refers to the differences among elements. It can create a focal point.
Rhythm:
Movement from one idea to another. It is the result of hierarchy, contrast, and structure. It requires timing and spacing and is the formation of patterns.
Structure:
Internal parts of a form that support and define its appearance. It holds the components together and creates a sense of continuity.

Artist Interview

Art comes from the unconscious or immutable. The creation of harmony is essential of art.