Transcript Exp. Prop. Shape PPT

Expressive Properties
of
Shape
Communicating Ideas through
Shape with Associations
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An important thing to remember is that
artists look for associations they can make
with shapes in order to communicate their
ideas.
The examples on the pages of this slide
presentation are only a few examples to
help you get a feel for how artists do this.
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Never Ending - A circle doe not have a
beginning or an end. This inherent
property can be used to symbolize eternal,
endless, immortality, ageless, etc.
Full - Things such as balloons or pillows
become rounded as they are filled. Thus a
circle can suggest complete, whole,
opulent, etc.
Perfect – In a true circle the edge or line is
always equidistant from the exact center.
This quality can represent complete,
whole, exact, flawless, immaculate,
absolute, etc.
Soft – A circle is made up of a curving line.
This quality might represent smooth,
graceful, feminine, comfort, etc.
Circles
Ellipse
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Balance – An ellipse
has much the same
qualities as a circle.
However, because its
shape is longer and
more symmetrical, it
may communicate
equilibrium, stability,
symmetry, etc.
Harmony
– An ellipse has a
long and short axis. Its shape
appears harmonious. It can
suggest accord, grace,
unison, elegance, etc.
Oval
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Egg – An oval is similar to
an ellipse, but it looks
more like an egg (ovum)
and can suggest such
things as nature, life,
mortality, birth, inherent,
etc.
Hope – During the
Renaissance the oval was
the symbol for hope in
Jesus Christ and the
resurrection. It can
suggest peace, solace,
comfort, etc.
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Target – Concentric circles
are like targets and can
suggest such things as aim,
focus, concentrate, condense,
surround, enclose, encircle,
entrance, hypnotize, etc.
Tunnel – Concentric circles
sometimes suggest lines of a
tunnel or tube. (Some people
get a feeling of falling into a
pit or hole.)
Hypnotic – They can suggest
restriction, confinement,
claustrophobia, entombment,
tension, stress, nightmare,
etc.
Motion – They can appear to
rotate, spin, swirl, reel or
revolve and can portray a
sense of being dizzy, lightheaded, etc.
Concentric Circles
Star or Sunburst
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Sun – A sun or star radiating
from a center can remind us
of the rays of the sun and can
suggest radiant energy, warm,
sunny, mild, summery,
enthusiastic, explosion,
surprise, fireworks, etc.
Flower – The rays of a
sunburst radiate from the
center and are like the petals
of a flower. They can suggest
organic growth of such things
as a flower, blossom, or
bouquet.
Explosion – Irregular shapes
can sometimes appear like
fireworks, a flare, a fire, etc.
Amorphous
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Weak – Things such as jelly and
amoebas have amorphous,
undefined or formless shapes.
Amorphous shapes can suggest
things such as feeble, flimsy, faint,
etc.
Liquid – Paint or ink spills typically
have amorphous shapes and can
suggest accident, stain, spill,
runny, flood, etc.
A Ghost – Ghosts or apparitions
are typically portrayed as having
amorphous or formless shapes.
Phantoms, spirits, and spooks can
have amorphous shapes. They can
appear to flow, run wiggle, move
creep , quiver, etc.
Complex
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Natural – Many natural
objects have complex
shapes. They can suggest
reality, actuality, fact, not
a dream, verity, actual
existence, etc.
Complicated – Complex
shapes are made of many
smaller shapes and can
look difficult, hard to
manufacture, elaborate,
intricate, etc.
Irregular
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Ragged – Frayed fabric,
broken glass, or ripped
paper can have an
irregular edge. Shapes
with irregular edges or
outlines can suggest
warn, broken, cracked,
ripped, decayed,
deteriorated, etc.
Delicate – They might
also have the appearance
of complexity, perplexity,
intricate, etc.
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Squares
Honest – The phrase
“square deal” is used to
mean an honest deal; thus
a square can suggest being
correct, having integrity,
etc.
Strong – A square or
rectangle is a common
shape for buildings; thus a
square can suggest solidity,
security, stability, firmness,
etc.
Confinement – Fences often
enclose a square or
rectangular area; thus a
square can suggest being
confined, having limits, etc.
Earth – The square was a
symbol for the earth during
the Renaissance.
Rectangle
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Direction – A rectangle is longer than a square
and its axis is more apparent. Because of its
shape the axis can show direction or
movement.
Opening – A rectangle is the shape for many
openings such as a door or window. It can
suggest a portal, entry, or entrance.
Vertical
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Support – Vertical shapes are
associated with strength and
support because columns are used
to hold up buildings. They can
suggest strength, balance, etc.
Classic – When vertical shapes are
associated with Greek buildings
having columns and pediments,
such as the Parthenon, they can
suggest dignity, stateliness,
stillness, noiseless, timeless,
ageless, resistance to change,
classic etc.
Upright – Because people stand
upright, vertical shapes are
associated with life, uprightness,
integrity, firmness, etc.
Horizontal
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Rest – Horizontal shapes may be associated with
rest, since humans sleep lying down. It can also
suggest death, as a final rest.
Silence – Horizontal shapes may be associated
with, rest, sleep, quietness, serenity, peace, etc.
Speed – With appropriate visual cues such as
automobiles or arrows, horizontal shapes can
suggest speed, motion, swiftness, etc.
Diagonal
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Action – Diagonal shapes
can be associated with
motion and action,
because things such as
running people, falling
trees, and lightning are
on an angle when they
are in motion.
Instability – Diagonal
shapes can be associated
with imbalance,
misfortune, chaos,
agitation, etc.
Order
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Order – Shapes
arranged in some
logical order can
suggest movement,
order, logic, etc.
Triangles
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Strength – A triangle resting on
its base suggests great stability
because a triangle in this
position would be difficult to
overturn.
Timelessness – a triangle is the
shape of the pyramids and can
suggest things such as timeless,
ageless, unchanging,
permanent.
Can you count the number of triangles?
Inverted Triangle
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Unstable – A triangle sitting on one point
is very unstable and is likely to fall over. It
can suggest instability, weakness, dread,
imbalance, fear, caution.
Jagged
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Energy – Jagged
shapes look like
electricity and can
suggest energy,
electricity.
Anxiety – These kinds
of shapes can be
used to portray
anxiety, tension, fear,
dread, suspense.
Pointed
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Knife – Long, pointed
triangles – whether
straight or curved – can
remind us of things such
as knives, needles, spears
or broken glass. They can
suggest pain, hurt, harm,
danger, abuse, damage,
destruction, etc.
Dotted Line
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Invisible – A shape with
a dotted or broken line
is often used to show a
viewer something that
others may not be able
to see. In these kinds of
situations a dotted line
can suggest such things
as ethereal, not seen,
airy, weightless, breezy,
immaterial, intangible.
Implied
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Mysterious – Implied
shapes are hidden and
appear as if there is a
secret image or a secret
message. In these kinds
of situations implied
shapes can suggest such
things as mystery, magic,
supernatural, mystical,
secret, wizardry, psychic,
indefinable, hidden, evil,
spiritual, airy, or without
substance.
Expressive Properties of Shape
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Can you think of other shapes that would
be expressive to other people through a
general association?
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Define shape.
What is the difference between a geometric
and an organic shape? Give and example of
both.
What is the difference between a biomorphic
and amorphic shape? Give and example of
both.
What are positive and negative shapes?
List six qualities of shapes.