Shape by Deborah Thomas

The word "shape" is derived from the Old English term gesceap, which has several meanings, such as the outward form of an entity, an understood appearance, an individual's physical condition, and an object that has been molded to form a certain look. Oklahoma Arts describes shape as: "A flat two-dimensional figure created by connecting lines. Examples are: square, circle, triangle or free form."

Because of the unique shape of an object, it can perform certain functions that the object could not otherwise do. When one takes into consideration the wonder of each practical design found in everyday physical matter and to also allow the eye to take in its own unique beauty, a higher appreciation for art and creation can be developed.

The various shapes that we see form visual images in our mind. When an artist uses certain shapes in an art piece, our minds make connections with these shapes in the real world. If these objects are perfectly shaped, they convey the message that they are "machine-made" (Elements of Art, from http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/artsed/visart102030/vaelar.html), but if they are "chaotic or irregular" they are natural shapes (Artfacts, from http://www.talentteacher.com/artfacts.html).

All fish have their own unique design not only for our pleasure in viewing them, but also to allow them to survive in their surroundings. The Hatchetfish has a bell-shaped body and long, powerful pectoral fins allowing the fish to leap above the surface of the water to catch insects. This is a good example of a natural shape.
	The openings in a guitar's body play a very important role in shaping the sound waves that eventually travel to your ear. The air is compressed and expanded which helps form the notes. The body of the guitar is hollow and the air vibrates through its crevice forming sounds, much the same way as what happens when you blow into a bottle. Each hole in the wood is made with precision, and is an example of a machine-made shape.
In order to hear, living beings were created with ears. The outer ear channels sounds down into the middle ear, which transforms the vibration to something the brain can identify. If you closely observe all species that have ears on each side of their head, you will find the pair of ears are not exactly symmetrical. This is a complex, natural shape.
	A metal striker that is surrounded by varying-length, hollow tubes form a windchime. Because of its shape, various tones are produced when the wind blows. Here again, this shape was created by a machine.
Various components make up the shape of the eye to enable it to fulfill its purpose of sight. As the light travels through the pupil, the iris constricts or expands depending on lighting conditions. There are always slight differences between a pair of eyes, such as one may be slightly higher than the other or the iris pattern may not be identical. Eyes are an elaborate composite forming natural shapes.

Examples of topic in online museum:

1. Name of piece of art: Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory
Artist: Salvador Dali
Museum: Dali Museum
URL: http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/collection/classic/disintegration.html?L+dali+xjll9629+1063258287
Brief description of why you chose this work as a representative of your topic: In my natural shapes descriptions above, I followed the Talent Teacher's idea that natural shapes are "chaotic and irregular". In Dali's painting, the shapes are disintegrating, but he still feels there is a "persistence of an underlying order in nature."

2. Name of piece of art: Fish
Artist: Constantin Brancusi
Museum: Museum of Modern Art
URL: http://www.moma.org/collection/depts/paint_sculpt/blowups/paint_sculpt_015.html
Brief description of why you chose this work as a representative of your topic: Above I describe a photograph of a real fish, but Brancusi's sculpture fits the schema of a fish shape. By just forming his artwork in the raw shape of the fish, the artist attempts to bring the viewer up-close with pure nature.

Bibliography:

1. Saskatchewan Education. (1993). ARTS EDUCATION: Visual Arts 10, 20, 30. Elements of Art, Retrieved from http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/artsed/visart102030/vaelar.html

2. Elements of Art, Retrieved September 10, 2003, from Oklahoma Arts Web site: http://title3.sde.state.ok.us/artmusic/teachers.htm#Elements%20of%20Art

3. Artfacts, Retrieved September 10, 2003, from Talent Teacher Web site: http://www.talentteacher.com/artfacts.html