SHAPE
a perceived set of visual or spatial boundaries
Shape
Shape is a perceived set of visual or spatial boundaries. A shape provides a way to focus on an area, whether the edges are open or closed. Shapes can refer to forms or be autonomous.
Kinds of shapes may be organic, or from the living, geometric, as in mathematics, bio- or zoo-morphic, from animals or anamorphic, as in stretched. Icons and symbols are shapes imbued with meaning.
A constellation is a set of objects aligned so the brain connects them as one larger shape, such as a constellation of stars.
Gestalt is a concept from a school of psychology in early 20th century Austria and Germany. It means ‘pattern or configuration.’ In drawing, it refers to the directional essence of a figure or scene and means an object can be implied without completing it totally.
Click the link below to watch a short video about the concept of shape in art.
Organic Shapes
Organic shapes in art refer to shapes that have less well-defined edges. They are generally shapes that are unpredictable and flowing. These shapes are often based on a living organism like an amoeba. Notice how the organically shaped pool interacts with the space around it. The plants and environment feel cohesive and familiar around the shape.
Geometric Shapes
Geometric shapes have clean, clear edges. Artists often use tools to create these shapes like circles, rectangles, triangles, and squares so they appear precise. Most geometric shapes are made by humans, though they can be found in nature. Crystals are an example of the geometric found in nature.
Notice how the geometric pool interacts with the space around it. If you were to add plants around the pool where would you place them? How would they fit in with the shape?
Organic Shapes
Geometric Shapes
Look
This work contains both organic and geometric shapes. The organic shapes are mostly in the foreground or from of the painting made up of the figures. The geometric shapes in the background are the building and tiles that help to create space. Most representational works of art contain a mixture of these two categories of shapes.
Expanding creativity with shapes.
In art we talk about the relationship between Figure and Ground. The figure is the main subject or shape in the work of art. The viewers attention is drawn to the figure while the ground is everything else in the work that is supporting the figure. You could think about a portrait where the person is both the figure and the subject while the space around them is the ground.
One way to become a more creative observer is to carry out a figure-ground reversal. This is where you make the ground or supporting shapes become the subject of the work, and the subject becomes the background.
This is most easily shown with a multistable image or shape.
Multistable Image
A multistable image is one where you can visually push or pull the image to reverse the figure ground relationship. This is done by intentionally switching your focus from figure to the ground. When you do that it makes the ground become visually more important, and you have now created a new experience with the work.
EXAMPLE: What do you focus on when you are presented with this shape? What is the figure? Can you make the ground become the main player and if so what do you see?
Look
The shapes along the contour of the vase create the profiles of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. When seen in shadow you can see how a shape can hold other creative potentials.
This was intentional in the vase, but you can do this with any work of art. Look at the Matisse painting below? Can you make the dancers visually fade into the background? Can you make the abstract shapes between them become the figure or subject of the work? If you can you get twice the amount of enjoyment out of the work. It will allow you to appreciate the the supporting elements of a work of art and possibly have a new creative experience.
By letting your attention shift from figure to ground you are creating a new work.
Things to notice
When you look at a work of art you can think about:
- Are there organic shapes? geometric shapes?
- Can I reverse the figure ground relationship and give more attention to the background?
- How do the shapes in the work inform or effect the meaning of the piece?
Unidentified Artist. Patchwork wrapping cloth (jogakbo). ce.1950–80. Silk. Korea. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Henri-Edmond Delacroix. Valley with Fir (Shade on the Mountain). ce.1909. Oil on canvas. French. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Asante peoples. Kente Prestige Cloth. 19th century. Cotton, silk. Ghana, Kumasi. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Raphael. Marriage of the Virgin. early 1500s. Oil on roundheaded panel. Italy. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.
Portrait of a Lady. Late 17th–18th century. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Attributed to India. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Henri Matisse. Dance. ce. 1910. Oil on canvas. France. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
Josef Albers. b. ce.1976. screenprint on paper. United States. Smithsonian American Art Museum.