Homework #3

Chapter 4 - Balance

1.    Describe the difference between balance and imbalanced work?

The difference between balanced and imbalance work is the somewhat equal distribution of visual weight, or the lack of it.
2.    What is horizontal and vertical placement?

Horizontal placement or pictorial balance is the left and right sides of an image. Vertical placement is when there is a division of top and bottom.
3.    What is symmetrical balance, and give an art historical example?

Symmetrical balance can be seen when the image is divided by an axis whether the image is horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait), the same lines and shapes are repeated on each side of the imagery (ultimately a mirrored image). Symmetry however does not always need to be exactly the same on each side to be considered symmetrical but must distribute equal amount of visual weight, some people term this "near symmetry".

An example of a work of art the is symmetrical or near symmetry

Salvador Dali's The Elephants (Los Elefantes) 1948 Oil on Canvas

4.    How can asymmetrical balance be achieved with value/color/ shape and texture?

Asymmetrical balance can be achieved by objects, but also with value and color, and shape and texture. Since asymmetry is based on equal eye attraction, value and color can be effective ways to achieve this. For example, by having one side of the image dark in value and the other side or a different shape a lighter value it naturally makes the eye travel between the two contrasting shades and tints. Color can also be very powerful when using asymmetry because typically the human eye is immediately attracted to color verse black and white. It can be used in a similar way, such as having one area or object darker and the other lighter. Complementary colors are also useful in achieving asymmetry. Shapes are created by lines and lines allow the eye to travel to other lines and shapes. By using different shapes it can not only make for a more interesting composition but can also allow the viewer to see balance. Texture is another way to achieve asymmetrical balance and can be done so by adding texture to the positive an negative space.
5.    What is radial balance?

Radial balance is when the elements circle out from the central point of the shape or form.
6.    Give a good example of a piece of artwork?

Georgia O'Keeffe's Jimson Weed 1932 Oil on Canvas 48x40 inches

7.    What is a shape and how does it differ from volume and mass?

Shape can defined as an object that has an outline that can be formed by line, texture, hue, etc. Shape differs from volume and mass because shape is the look of the object and typically two dimensional. Volume and mass is more describing the space or amount of an object normally referring to three dimensional objects whether in a painting, a piece of architecture, sculpture, etc.

8.    What is the difference between naturalism and distortion in art and design?

Naturalism in art and design is when an artist uses different elements and principles to give an appearance to a work of art that is natural or looks as it should within its environment. Typically the artist will try to make these works looks realistic and consider proportion and perspective. Distortion is basically the opposite, in that the artist is not necessarily concerned with how the object looks within it's natural environment and will change the image by shrinking, stretching, adding texture where it does not belong, adding emphasis or taking away. Ultimately distortion is changing the imagery to make it look unnatural.

Define abstraction: How is your fire and water panel abstract? What concepts are informing your work on this project?

Abstraction is a way of obscuring an image to make it look visionary and/or unrealistic. A shape,form, object, idea is still within the work of art but may not be as noticeable to some, however once being told what the image is the viewer should hopefully be able to then see or at least understand why. Within our class we are creating an abstract fire and water panel, these are abstract because we are not just showing water as a distinct and realistic wave or fire as photo realistic campfire, we are viewing images and being inspired by certain parts of the imagery or all. Then we are creating images by studying the different lines, shapes, values, etc. associated with our images to create these panels. We are using different concepts such as lines thick to thin and curvilinear lines to straight to help us work on this project.

Chapter 8 - Shape and volume

1.    Define these terms in art:
2.    Non-objective - an image that is made to not look like a specific object  and therefore does not suggest the subject matter
3.    Curvilinear - shapes that have smooth, curved, lines and edges, with corners not meeting on an angle.
4.    Rectilinear - shapes that have hard and straight lines, with corners meeting at a angle.
5.    Positive and negative shapes - positive shapes are also known as the figure because they are normally the object or objects within the work or art. negative shapes can also be known as the ground because the negative shapes typically can be the background, landscapes, or "empty" spaces around the object. both the negative and positive shapes should be given close to equal amounts of time and energy in order to create a great piece of art.

Chapter 10 - Illusion of Space

1.    List three ways to depict illusion of depth - size, overlapping, linear perspective, vertical location, one point/two point perspective, aerial perspective
2.    What is one point perspective?

One point perspective is basically when there is a single view. There is one vanishing point on the horizon line and all the lines go toward that point to create the objects.
3.    Two point perspective?

Two point perspective is when there are two points and all the lines go to both points connecting the lines.
4.    What is an isometric projection?

Isometric projection is when parallel lines recede to a diagonal  but do not shorten to show depth.

5.    What is equivocal space? Find an example
 Equivocal space is when two images do not overlap to show that one is in front of the other, instead the artists chooses to create a transparency. This can create a visually interesting pattern and cause the viewer to be uncertain about which image in in front of behind.

Klee Rocks by Terry Sutherland Acrylic on Canvas 48x60

 In Robert Rauschenberg’s work titled Bed 1955 he shows volume through folding his blanket down partially and mass by leaving his pillow stuffed. This work is termed “combines,” which by a loose definition means a work of art that was a combination of items. For example he would use found, bought, and items within his own possession to create a work that combined these different materials. He states he, "wanted something other than what I could make myself and I wanted to use the surprise and the collectiveness and the generosity of finding surprises. And if it wasn't a surprise at first, by the time I got through with it, it was. So the object itself was changed by its context and therefore it became a new thing."

This piece includes oil and pencil on his own pillow, quilt, and sheet on wood supports. He used vertical placement which I believe gives the piece balance. The wooden rectilinear frame is suiting for the work because it does not take away from the shape of the original objects. Through his use of the paint he creates a sense of distortion in this very inspirational piece.

 To learn more about Robert Rauschenberg visit this site.