SHAPE

An Element of Art

GENESIS OF FORMS:

Artist’s Imagination

Artist’s Observation and Comments

Artist Convey Meanings

SQUARE AND CUBE

-Rational order

- Intellectual precision and exactitude

-Unyielding impersonality

-The rule of law

-Scientific and technological values

SQUARE – HEXAGON AND OCTAGON

-GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF STABILITY

-Because the physical order and stability of the universe is based o the:

o 4 elements

o 4 seasons

o 4 stages of man’s life

o 4 points of the compass

- Signifies stability when it rests on its base with the apex pointed upwards

- Symbolizes fire and the aspiration of all things towards a higher unity

- BROAD BASE is more stable than a triangle of SMALL BASE and long sides

o Sense of precariousness and danger

-Mentally associated with:

sharp points

Spikes

Silver glasses

- self- contained form without angles or corners

-SIGNIFIES:

o Perfection

o Eternity

o Closed universe

o State of oneness

a. Circumference- no

beginning , no end represents circular movement

b. Radial lines- from the

center to any point of the circumference are equidistant thus maintaining a perfect equilibrium of all forces

c. Diameter- intersects

the circle through its center divides it into equal halves or semicircles

Emblem of the sun

Primal source of light energy

Motif or symbol in all cultures

Often embellished with rays

KALINGA

BAGOBOIFUGAO

In Chinese culture- signifies interactive dualism or dialectics

- divided by a sigmoid line

- conveys the idea that everything contains the seed

In Indian art and philosophy,

-A geometric shape used as an aid to mental concentration and meditation

- represents “macrocosm and microcosm” a gatepost between the two

- have 3 basic principles: center, symmetry and cardinal points

-Literally means circle and center

- its traditional design uses both the circle symbol of the cosmos and the square – symbol of earth

In Tibet- Mandala was carried to its fullest development as an artistic form and as an aid to meditation

Mandala of Kalachakra- the center is the holy of holies where the deity is contained within the square, the “Palace of inner beings”

Mandalas are also found in :

“Sand- paintings of Navaho Indians”

Stonehenge in England

(TAUSUG)

• Post- impressionist artist who anticipated cubism

• advanced the theory that the entire universe can be reduced to 3 shapes: cube, cone and cylinder

• sought a return to structure by geometrizing his subjects