TWO-DIMENSIONAL

DESIGN

Unit 3

Positive and Negative Space

Space is an Element of Art created simply by drawing an object on a page.

Positive space is filled by an object or element.Negative space surrounds the positive space.

Types of Space

Decorative or Shallow Space Decorative: has little to no

depth Shallow: Confined, limited

space in an artwork

Plastic or Deep/Infinite Space Plastic: has a 3D feel by

creating a sense of depth far beyond the picture frame

Deep/Infinite: feels limitless

The Gestalt Principles of Perception

Gestalt is a psychology term which means "unified whole.”

It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the 1920s that attempt to describe how people organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied. These principles are:

Figure/Ground Relationships Similarity Proximity Closure Continuity Area

Figure/Ground Relationships

The pictorial relationship between positive and negative spaces in an art work. Helps the viewer identify the figure (or foreground) from the background.

Similarity

Viewers tend to group together objects that share the same characteristics such as shape, size, color, texture, and value An object can be

emphasized if it is dissimilar to the others. This is called anomaly (see example to the right)

Proximity

Occurs when elements are placed close together. They tend to be perceived as a group. The nine squares above are

placed without proximity. They are perceived as separate shapes.

When the squares are given close proximity, unity occurs. While they continue to be separate shapes, they are now perceived as one group.

Closure

The idea that the brain will fill in any extraneous information which is not present in the image.

Occurs when an object is incomplete or a space is not completely enclosed

Continuity

The idea that the eye will continue to look in a direction in which it is pushed by the forms and shapes present.

Area

The smaller of 2 overlapping objects is seen as the foreground. The larger is seen as the background.

You likely see the smaller squares as the foreground in both cases.

Spatial Indicators

The following strategies allow an artist to manipulate the viewer’s perception of space in an artwork: Size Sharpness Location / Placement Overlapping Interpenetration Converging Parallels (linear perspective)

Size

As objects move back in space, they appear to get smaller

Sharpness

As objects move back in space, they appear to get softer, or blurry (out of focus) This effect is also commonly referred to as

atmospheric perspective

Location / Placement

As objects move up the picture plane they appear to recede, or, as objects move towards the horizon they appear to recede

Overlapping

Objects in front will block objects behind Overlap will trump (override) the other

indicators, so keep that in mind!

Interpenetration

When one object passes through another and emerges on the other side

Converging Parallels

Opposite edges will move towards each other; converging lines often indicate the angle of view This is really just linear perspective!!!

CONTEMPORARY ART

Unit 4

Abstract Expressionism Action Painting Color-field Painting

Optical ArtPopular ArtMinimalism

Performance ArtEarth ArtPhotorealismNeo-expressionismConceptual ArtPost-Modernism

DefinitionArt produced at the present period in time;

includes, and develops from, Postmodern art, which is itself a successor to Modern art.

Contemporary Art

Pre-1945Emphasis on

imitationalism; realism Documentation of

events, historical figures, or religion

Paris = center of art world

Post-1945Emphasis on

formalism; color and geometry Revolt against

previous movementsNYC = new center of

art world Europe in disarray

after WW2 Rise of Fascism in

Europe brought artists to the US

The History of Contemporary Art

Abstract Expressionism

Mid 40s – 50s: 1st new style to arrive

Emphasizes abstract elements of art instead of recognizable subjects; Stresses feelings and emotions

Major Artists: Hans Hofmann, Jackson Pollock, Josef Albers, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning

Abstract Expressionism

Action PaintingEmphasized the spontaneous,

physical act of painting (dripping, splattering, pouring, etc.)

Major Artists: Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning

Color Field PaintingColor for the pure sense of colorHas a calmer, almost spiritual

qualityMajor Artists: Mark Rothko and

Helen Frankenthaler

Shimmering Substance (1946), by Jackson Pollock

No. 61 (Rust and Blue) (1953),by Mark Rothko

Optical Art

Mid 50s – 70sUses scientific

knowledge of vision to create optical illusions of movement, relying on the careful manipulation of the elements and principles of design

Major Artists: Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, MC Escher

Movement in Squares (1961), by Bridget Riley

Pop Art

Late 50s – 60sArtists portrayed images in

pop culture and mass media.

Began in Great Britain and spread to the US as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism; it’s playful and iconic, not psychological and spiritual.

Major Artists: Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Claus Oldenburg

Campbell’s Soup I (1968), by Andy Warhol

Minimalism

Late 60s – PresentArtists sought

absolute simplicity, using a minimum of art elements: shape or color.

Hard-edge paintings: emphasis is on crisp, precise edges

Major Artists: Frank Stella, Donald Judd, Ronald Bladen, and Dan Flavin

Harran II (1967), by Frank Stella

Untitled (1967), by Lorser Feitelson