NOTAN: Representation vs. Distortion

Brendan Powers

On Tuesday the class visited the gallery to see the current Abstract Mix exhibition. The remaining time in class was devoted to completing the next Notan project. Remember to achieve Notan, the positive and negative areas must 1. be able to exchange value, 2. negative areas must be sufficiently enclosed and 3. the positive and negative areas must be able to exchange roles (i.e. positive becomes negative; negative becomes positive).
Brendan has very skillfully met all three requirements. The sequence of the distortions is gradual and varied. In addition, his handling of the materials has created very fluid and viscous lines and shapes.

REPRESENTATION vs. DISTORTION: NOTAN

This two part project addresses the balance and reversability of the positive and negative areas. In the first part, students create a composition of rectangular compartments (no squares) using three colors in a 2, 2, 1 combination. In the second part, students choose a tool (ex. key) and modify and distort the tool so that the shape not only fits the space but achieves the primary requirement of Notan; positive and negative areas must be able to reverse roles (i.e. positive areas may be viewed as negative areas and negative areas may be viewed as positive).

NOTAN: Positive and Negative Tension

Chani Spitzer-Christenson

Circe Ament

Friday morning began with a collage controlling the tension in the positive and negative areas. Notan was the final objective. In order for the collage to be successful, the positive and negative areas must be able to reverse rolls. On the one hand the white areas are seen as positive and on the other hand the black areas must be seen as positive with white negatives. In Chani's collage we are initially drawn to the convex white shapes before moving to the black strips. In Circe's collage we notice the animated arms of the white areas and there potential to reach and grab. The strength of the black strips lies within their interior cuts and strong sense of weight.

The afternoon project was twofold 1. make a grid of rectangles using three contrasting values 2. place distorted shapes of an original form (the fork) striving to achieve Notan.

SHAPE: Representation Vs. Distortion

Lisset Miranda

Yesterday students completed part two of the second shape project. First, students made a background of compartments. Notice the balance of the diagonal yellow rectangles supported by the large blue rectangle in Lisset's collage above. The second part was to place silhouettes of a tool that gradually becomes more distorted. But, the distortions are not random. Each rectangle must achieve Notan; the balance between light and dark. In other words, the negative areas must be treated with the same importance as the positive areas. The long silhouette on the right is the representational image. Notice the "pen-like tip" in the negative area of the handle. This motif is repeated throughout the modifications adding unity to the overall design. Although the original is a bit tight in its box, all the distorted silhouettes are well balanced with interesting negative areas as well as the positive areas.

NOTAN: Representation and Distortion

Nesho Dimov

Angel Salinas

Students continued with part two of the Compositional Compartments project.  The problem of part two was to draw a tool or other object and reduce it to a silhouette.  In the five rectangles from part one, students placed the representational silhouette and four evolving distortions of the silhouette.  The objective again was to create Notan; harmonious balance between light and dark, positive and negative.
Students also began work on The Parts of the Puzzle project.  First choose a curvilinear shape, one line, and a rectilinear shape.  These will be used in four compositions. Pics to come.