Elements of Art by John Baker
| Shape
as an element of art can be defined as a flat figure created where
actual or implied lines meet to define a space. A shape can also
be defined by other elements in a work such as form, line, color,
or texture. Shape can be divided into organic or natural shapes and geometric shapes which are usually, but not always, man-made. |
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| To me, organic shapes are the most interesting. Organic shapes can be described as being emotionally active. These shapes evoke thoughts and feelings in the viewer because of the associations that a viewer has about the object. | |
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This is the leaf of a fig tree. It is an organic shape. I adjusted the contrast to make the leaf a richer green color against the textured background of the sidewalk where I took the picture. This leaf reminds me of a fig tree that was in the yard of our house when I was a small child. This shape has the power to force me to recall a tree from over 30 years ago. |
| For me, and I suspect for many people, these shapes would signify Los Angeles where the picture was taken. An artist who might include shapes like this in a work would help evoke thoughts and emotions about Southern California with shapes like this. |  |
| Organic shapes encompass more than the world of trees. These irregular shapes are found on a marble plinth in the Getty Museum. Their asymmetry is a contrast to the shape of the statue that rests on top of the plinth. The juxtaposition of asymmetrical shapes on the plinth with the statue helps to emphasize the beauty of the classically symmetrical human form on top. |
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| Geometric shapes are usually man-made. They are said to be esthetically appealing, but more emotionally passive because geometric shapes themselves often do not have the same emotional associations for a viewer like organic shapes do. | |
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This
picture features geometric shapes in the seat of a metal chair.
These circles may have appealed to the designer of the chair for
their ability to add an esthetic touch to the design of a utilitarain
metal chair.
These circles probably do not hold much emotional appeal for anyone except those who love to play dominoes.
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| This scanned image of a Christmas tree on the Macro Plaza in Monterrey, Mexico is an example of a man-made shape, in this case, a triangle, that obviously can be considered emotionally active because of the many strong associations that viewers have with Christmas. |  |
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It
is also possible to combine organic and man-made geometric shapes
in an image.
This image combines the geometric squares that pave a garden area of the Getty Museum with the organic shapes of the moss which is beginning to cover them. |
| Many
artists have made extensive use of shape as an element in their
works.
In his 1922 painting, Red Balloon, Paul Klee uses geometric shapes and color to create an image of a balloon floating over a city. This painting is part of the collection of the Guggenheim Museum. Stuart Davis painted Report from Rockport in 1940. It is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the painting, Davis used a profusion of colors and shapes to convey the hectic pace of modern American life.
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Bibliography Elements
and Principles of Art.(n.d.) Retrieved September 7, 2002 from
The Alphabet of Art. (n.d.) Retrieved September 7, 2002 from http://www.guidancecom.com/alphabet/shape.htm The Elements of Art. (n.d.) Retrieved September 7, 2002 from Google cache version of http://www.mpsaz.org/arts/links/elements/elements.html |