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Today in class we discussed the Principles of Design and the Japanese concept of Notan. The "take-away" for the day was the rule of composition: one large shape (dominant), a few medium shapes and one or small shapes.  Examples of the today's project are below. The powerpoint and directions for this project as well as the powerpoint for the Principles of Design are located on the class Canvas page.  This design has a powerful central shape fringed with medium shapes that enclose the smaller shapes.  This design effectively uses repletion with all the rectilinear elements.  This design reveals strong adherence to the rule of composition. Of particular note are the small jagged shapes.  The mask-like arrangement of shapes presents a strong sense of "unity." This design effectively uses diagonals. The image is reminiscent of a figure doing jumping-jacks.

For our first project students explored the relationship between the positive and negative areas within a design. The objective was to create a symmetrical composition establishing a single dominant shape in the center of the design supported by medium and small elements while maintaining the integrity of the square. In the designs below, now the variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, all of the designs use linear elements combined with the shapes. Austyn Malia Manuel In the second collage, students explored asymmetrical compositions. The objective was to address the rule of "One large shape, a few medium shapes and one or more small shapes." Enrique Tai

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.

Bettina Schoefer Gordon Katelynn Pizzio Vicotria Le Last Thursday the class continued exploring positive and negative relationships. Working with a 5 in. square the class made symmetrical compositions by cutting and flipping the pieces without destroying the square or having any waste. The real challenge was creating a composition with a strong central, dominant shape. Bettina's design has a spider-like quality with arcing diagonals and a bold, convex central shape. The outside curvature is a good contrast to the straight lines of the square. Katelynn has skillfully introduced a circular shape into the design. The protruding linear elements imply diagonals again in contrast to the square. Victoria has created a very dynamic design with diagonals inside the the square. Again, the central shape is convex with elements shooting outward from the core.

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 fl...

Monica Contreras Monday began with a lecture on Shape. We discussed the differences between geometric and organic shapes, positive and negative, shape and form  as well as the affects of shape on content. The project involved cutting linear and shape elements from a 5 inch square of black paper and flipping them over to create a symmetrically balanced design.