Notan

Japanese Aesthetic Principle meaning

Light and Dark

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 8 th 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 also applies 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

Creative Expression

Task: Materials: Technique: Create design with balance between shapes and space, between light and dark Light and dark paper squares Scissors Glue Cut and paste 8 th grade student work

Criteria for Assessment

Craftsmanship Cutting: Pasting: Clean, sharp edges Neatness, accuracy Design COMPOSITION Details, complexity Placement Originality

Scoring Rubric for Finished Artwork

Craftsmanship

Cutting Pasting

Design

Composition Balance Creativity 7 th grade student work

Examples of Student Work