BALANCING THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE: Expansion of the Square

Scott Russell

Yesterday the class explored the relationships between positive and negative areas of a composition. The project (Expansion of the Square) forces the artist to address both positive and negative areas by cutting shapes from a square and reversing them creating mirror images in white and black. There is no waste or left over pieces. Scott's design above is a very dynamic and rhythmic composition. The shapes appear to twist and form a circle within the square.

Rukhsana Kamal

Rukhsana's design illustrates the concept of NOTAN (the perfect balance between dark and light, neither shape trying to dominate the other). There are three criteria for Notan 1. The negative area must be enclosed creating an interesting shape. 2. The image must be reversible; the black and white areas my swap values without changing the balance. 3. The positive and negative areas must be able to trade roles; positive seen as negative and negative seen as positive. In the design above, the flower may be seen both as solids as well as cut-outs in a screen.

Gianna Davy

At the end of class students made asymmetrical designs based on the same concepts. Gianna's dynamic and flowing image is reminiscent of a figure in motion with outstretched arms and legs.