COMPOSITION: Puzzle Parts

Last Friday the class made a series of six compositions using the same 4 colors and three elements.  The compositions must contain one curvilinear shape, one rectilinear shape and one type of line. The objective was to create as many different compositional arrangements as possible and to try and imply new shapes by employing cropping and adjoining different shapes sharing the same colors. In addition, no composition can contain more than six positive shapes. Often with these collages, what starts out as a positive shape may end up appearing as a negative shape.

NOTAN: Tension

Last Friday began with a further discussion of Notan. There are three properties of pure Notan. 1. Enclosure: the negative space must be enclosed. 2. Reversibility: Values may be swapped without effecting the positive and negative relationship. 3. Exchange: Positive and Negative areas must be able to exchange roles. (i.e. positive as negative, negative as positive).

Ellen Cox

Todd Jones

Ellen has created a very dynamic design. The "x" pattern establishes a bold horizontal movement. Initially the white columns stand out but the design is so active with repetition that the "eye" stays in continuous motion moving from white to black shapes.
Todd's design is simple yet very effective. The black and white areas are exactly the same design establishing vertical, horizontal and diagonal rhythms.

Lindsay Cole

Todd Jones

In the afternoon, the class made studies of a single object represented in silhouette. The shape was then stretched, twisted and distorted in an effort to create a rhythm of evolution as well as establishing balance between the positive and negative areas.

SHAPE: Expansion of the Square

Lindsay Cole

Last Friday, the class began creating designs addressing the element Shape. Working a 5x5 in. piece of paper, students cut symmetrical designs with the objective of establishing a rhythm around a single dominant shape. Notice the difference between the two collages above. The central triangle on the left is clearly visible. Whereas in the right collage the corners are cropped allowing the two diamond shapes to dominate.

Linda Job

Linda has created a very dynamic design with many repeating elements which establish a strong rhythm and movement around the central area. Notice in all of the designs the square is still present.

Juliana Cheplick

 In the afternoon, the class made asymmetrical designs. Again the objective was to create a rhythm around a single dominant shape while maintaining the integrity of the square. Juliana's design has a very strong movement by repeating and multiplying lines as well as changing scale.

Kimberly Perez

Kimberly's collage has strong linear elements throughout. The staggered shapes and placement imply diagonals in an otherwise vertical design. She two has effectively used repetition.

LINE: Archituctural Improvisation

Devon Ste. Marie-Rubin

Last Friday began with a lecture on the Principles of Design. After the slides, the class made a series of studies addressing cropped views of areas around and within the Art Building. The objective was to locate dynamic intersections of lines and interesting juxtapositions of patterns and textures.

Devon Ste. Marie-Rubin

In the afternoon, students were introduced to the work of Julie Mehretu, Ola Juliussen and Nicola Lopez. The drawing above is a combination of the studies from the morning session with the embellishment of line dynamics. Devon has expanded and animated forms while isolating particular elements from her four studies above.