This session we'll be covering a myriad of terms involved with shape. This will be a large, long post, mostly rectangular, so let's jump right into it. Here's the rundown.
-Nonobjective Shapes
- Rectilinear Shapes
- Curvilinear Shapes
We'll also cover some aspects within art styles that involve variations on shape and proportion. These are below.
- Naturalism
- Idealism
- Abstraction
- Distortion
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The image below contains only Nonobjective shapes, shapes with no reference and no subject matter suggestion. Nonobjective shapes can be rectilinear or curvilinear in nature.
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| No suggestion to subject matter, no focal point, nothing. It's as if the artist put forth no thought into making it whatsoever. |
The next image consists of shapes that are Curvilinear, or dominated by curves. Many forms in nature tend to be curvilinear
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Finally, designs that are dominated by rectangles and squares and sharp edges tend to be classified as Rectilinear. Below is an architectural design by Frank Lloyd Wright, called Fallingwater. The rectilinear design he chose for this house juxtaposes against the natural organic shapes of the nature around it, creating a dynamic atmosphere.
This has been a quick overview of types of shape.
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Next, we will discuss a few Isms.
Within the realm of art, there has been a need to accurately represent the world around us. Therefore, the ability to reproduce the natural world was intensely important in early art, and this style of art is called Naturalism.
. Naturalism is achieved when an artist faithfully and accurately reproduces the shape, color, proportions, etc of figures, forms, or other objects found in the world. Take a look at the painting below.
The sheep have been as accurately portrayed as possible.
When an artist starts to step away from Naturalism and depicts things not as they are, it is normally through a type of distortion. Many works of Picasso involve distortion. Distortion is also the tool of caricature artists.
Above, the characteristics of the figures face have been distorted to convey certain aspects.
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There is a specific type of distortion called Abstraction, which implies a simplification of natural shapes to essential, basic characters. Below is a painting by Mondrian, where he distills from the natural shape of the tree only a few of it's basic tenets.
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If Naturalism is about how the world looks as it is, then of course there would be a style for the opposite. Idealism is the best type a type of distortion that shows natural forms not as they are, but as they should be. The painting below, a Bouguereau, is realistic in a sense, but also highly idealized.
As one can see, no blemishes, no flaws, and as such, a work of fiction.
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Shape is yet another greatly important aspect of any design or work of art, one of the fundamental building blocks of art.
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If the avante-garrde anti-art movement started by Duchamp has become the only respected form of high art, then where can art go now?
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