Shape: “An area that stands out from the space next to or around
it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences
of value, color, or texture. "
actual shape — clearly defined positive shape
implied shape — "psychologically suggested" shape that does not physically exist (gestalt phenomenon).
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types of shapes:
amorphous shape — formless, indistinct, without clear definition.
biomorphic shape — resembles irregular curvilinear free flowing forms of organisms and growing forms in nature.
geometric shape — generally simple shapes related to geometry (the triangle, the rectangle, the square, the octagon, the circle, etc.).
rectilinear shape — having straight edges and right angle corners.
circular shape — a plane with a curvilinear edge equidistant at all points from a fixed central location.
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spatial treatment of shapes:
decorative shape — emphasizes the flat two dimensions and/or the ornamenting or enrichment of a surface.
two-dimensional shape — a shape having height and width (the picture plane)
(1) a flat, two-dimensional area having height and width;
(2) in the graphic arts (a flat surface);
(3) in the plastic arts (a two-dimensional surface which extends in
a three-dimensional spatial direction).
planar shape — having to do with planes.
plastic shape — (1) having the illusion of the third dimension on a two- dimensional surface; (2) refers to three-dimensional art forms (architecture, sculpture, ceramics, etc.-see mass, three-dimensional, and volume).
three-dimensional (shape) — possessing the dimension of depth in addition to height and width.
mass — (1) appearing to stand out three-dimensionally from space surrounding it; (2) the plastic arts--the solid body of material.
volume — the measurable area of defined or occupied space.
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the use of shape to interpret subject matter:
objective (shape) — based on physical reality (appears naturalistic).
subjective (shape) — derived from the mind.
invented (shape) — shape with no natural reference which can sometimes suggest something that feels familiar.
non-representational or non-objective (shape) — shape having no suggestion of reality and purely unrecognizable.
abstracted (shape) — shape with its source in nature but rearranged and/or simplified to the point that it is no longer recognized as that object–may be confused with non-representation or non-objective shapes.
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perspective — a mechanical system for creating the graphic illusion of space.
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Art which developed shapes in specific ways:
Cubism — Developed by Picasso and Braque, this movement created new shapes by analyzing an object, breaking it down into two-dimensional planes, and superimposing multiple views of an object to help with an understanding of its three-dimensionality.
Surrealism — a style influenced by Freudian psychology that emphasizes fantasy and subjects revealed by the subconscious mind. Originally an outgrowth of Dadaism, Surrealism was established in 1924.
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equivocal space — an area seen as positive at one time and negative at another--or a space that seems to come forward and then recede.
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kinetic art — involves an element of random or mechanical movement.
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gestalt, gestalt psychology — psychological principal stating that the mind tends to try to see the "whole" or group relationship rather than individual shapes, items or parts.
