Japanese Aesthetic Principle meaning Light and Dark

Notan

Find beauty not only in the thing itself

but in the pattern of the shadows,

the light and dark which that thing provides.

Junichiro Tanizaki

The artistic principle of Notan involves

a balance

between lights and darks in an artwork.

Example by 8th grade student

We put thirty spokes together and call it a wheel;

But it is on the space where there is nothing that the utility of the wheel depends.

We turn clay to make a vessel,

But it is on the space where there is nothing that the utility of the vessel depends.

We pierce doors and windows to make a house;

And it is on these spaces where there is nothing that

The utility of the house depends.

Therefore, just as we take advantage of what is, we should

Recognize the utility of what is not.

 

This poem, attributed to Lao Tse, was written about 2,000 years ago. It addresses the basis of all design, Notan.

ARTS VOCABULARY

Elements of Design:SHAPE, FORM, SPACE

VALUE - LIGHT AND DARK

Principles of Art: BALANCE

Block print by SSterrenberg

Squint your eyes. Focus on the space.

In calligraphy, the white space is just as

important as the kanji character.

A strong Notan design helps artwork succeed.

The concept of Notan applies to many areas of art, including

painting, drawing, graphic design, sculpture, architecture

and photography.

It alsoapplies to other arts disciplines

like dance and theater.

Kazuaki Tanahashi, Heiki, 1965.

Edward Weston, Pepper, 1930

Georgia O’Keeffe, Morning Glory, 1926

Jim Yellowhawk, Sacred Hoop, 1992

Task: Create design with balance between shapes and space, between light and dark

Materials: Light and dark paper squaresScissorsGlue

Technique: Cut and paste

Creative Expression

8th grade student work

Criteria for Assessment

CraftsmanshipCutting: Clean, sharp edges

Pasting: Neatness, accuracy

Design COMPOSITION

Details, complexity

Placement

Originality

Scoring Rubricfor Finished Artwork

Craftsmanship Cutting Pasting

Design CompositionBalanceCreativity

7th grade student work

Examples of Student Work