What do you need to know for Media Art?
1. Important Definitions for Media Art
Interactivity – The degree to which a media art work allows information to
be transferred immediately both to and from the work and the “observer”,
each thus having an effect on the other.
Heterogeneity – Consisting of dissimilar parts or elements. Different
components or ingredients combined to form one thing.
Hybridization – Something that is heterogeneous in origin or composition.
Something that has two or more different types/forms of components
performing essentially the same task or function.
Medium – A mode of artistic expression or communication. A means of
effecting something or conveying something. A substance/material used for
transmission.
Temporality – Relating to time as distinguished from space. A sequence of
time.
Light – The physical property of actual light/illumination or reflection of
light, e.g., mirrors, fire, light bulbs, glow materials.
Sound – Actual, implied, and or simulated noise. Something that is usually
audible.
Time – Chronological, non-linear, delivery system vs. actual; mechanical
vs. organic.
Performance – Performer and audience. The performer typically is the
product or the medium. There is often a “recording” of the performance.
Point of View –
Social/political/religious/economical/emotional/cultural/”ism’s”.
Narrative – Story, event, talking. A sequence, often containing a plot and or
a theme. Can be text-based as well as image-based.
Placement or Framing – Deals with composition and the act of curating
works.
Movement – Actual or implied motion.
Series of Work – A body, a collection of several products that deal with a
common theme or use similar materials. The works have commonalities to
them so that they are recognizable as belonging to the same artists, and
appear to the audience as though they were meant to be placed with one
another for a specific purpose. These works have a unity and harmonious
relationship with each other.
2. Elements of Design
Line
An element of design that creates a path. A line is curved, straight, or
a combination. Lines take many forms; they can be straight and sharp.
Lines can create patterns which add emotional impact to the visual image.
Lines can also be used as forms of universal language in communication.
Shape
An element of design used to describe distance, depth, and
perspective. There are three basic shapes: square, circle, and triangle.
Each of these shapes has a psychological meaning associated with it. The
triangle has an attitude of conflict or action. The circle gives a sense of
protection or infinity. Honesty or equality is associated with the square.
Mass/Form
An element of design that is three dimensional and encloses
volume (cube, sphere, pyramid, cylinder, and free flowing). Mass often
refers to the size or amount of space consumed. The mass or form, plus
the shape, tend to give relation with other elements. The various weights of
different shapes can be used to emphasize type styles.
Texture
An element of design that refers to the surface -- whether it is
rough, smooth, or soft, for example. It can be actual or simulated (implied).
Texture is a part of every printed image. The first reaction is to touch the
surface. Texture can be produced by lines that form images. However, this
element is usually visual and no reaction would be received through the
sense of touch. Actual texture can be produced as well, using a variety of
techniques.
Colour
An element of design that identifies things as being red, blue,
yellow, orange, etc. When colour is used, it causes that part of the work to
attract attention. Colour can have a strong emotional and psychological
impact on the viewer. It can be used to add interest and to reduce boredom.
Yellow, orange, and red are considered warm colours and they denote
aggression, excitement, and danger. Blue, green, and violet are considered
to be cool colours and are associated with nature and passiveness.
3. Principles of Design
Balance
A principle of design that refers to the equalization of elements in
a work. There are three kinds of balance:
• Symmetrical;
• Asymmetrical;
• Radial.
Formal balance is achieved when all of the elements on/in the work are of
equal weight and are placed symmetrically on/in the work. If a line were
drawn through the exact centre, it would divide the design elements in half.
Informal balance may be achieved when the value, size, and location of
unequal elements on a page are changed.
Contrast
A principle of
design that refers to differences in values, colours, textures, and other
elements in a work to achieve emphasis and interest. Contrast adds variety
to a design. It is the variations of the elements in the work. Some elements
in a work stand out because of contrast. This is achieved by a difference in
size, colour, or appearance. A few contrasts are:
• Round-Straight;
• Ornate-Plain;
• Broad-Narrow.
Contrast can be used to keep the attention of the viewer, and to keep the
viewers interest moving from one element to another.
Unity
A principle of design that relates to the sense of oneness or
wholeness in a work of art; everything in the art work contributes to the
idea. Unity or harmony gives elements the appearance of belonging
together. It is the proper balance of all elements so that a pleasing whole
(work) results. The image is viewed as one piece, as a whole, and not as
separate elements. Using too many shapes or colours may cause a design
to be unfocused. An organized design can be achieved by using a basic
shape which is then repeated.
Rhythm
A principle of design that refers to the arrangement (or
movement) of parts in a work of art to create a movement of your eye from
one alike area, colour, texture, line, etc., to another. It occurs when a
design element is repeated. Rhythm acts as a guide so that the eye reads
important parts of a message.
Proportion
A principle of design that speaks to the relationship between
size and shape. Proportion helps to achieve balance and unity in a work. To
obtain good proportion, the sizes of the elements must be regulated. To
prevent the design from being dull and static, proportion must be balanced
by the use of contrast or unity. Proportion is a means of developing an
aesthetically pleasing relationship between each of the elements used in
the work.
Emphasis
A principle of design by which the artist or designer may use
opposing sizes, shapes, contrasting colours, or other means to place
greater attention on certain areas or objects. Usually the “area of interest” is
created through emphasis.
More Information
The elements of art can be likened to basic baking ingredients. To make a
cake, you need to use some basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and water.
To create art, you need to use elements such as line, shape, colour, value,
and texture.
i) Colour is also referred to as hue. Some examples of colours are red,
yellow, and blue. Red, yellow and blue are called primary colours. With
red, yellow, and blue you can create all the colours on the colour wheel.
Green, violet, and orange are called secondary colours because they
are created using the primary colours. Here are some other terms you
should know when discussing colour theory:
Complementary Colours: are
opposite to each other on the
colour wheel. For example, red
and green are complementary
colours. When red and green are
placed side by side, they seem to
appear more vibrant. But if you
mix complementary colour
paints, you’ll end up with a
muddy brown.
Analogous Colours: are sideby-side on the colour wheel.
Yellow and Yellow-Orange and
Orange are side-by-side on the
colour wheel.
Warm Colours: are hues such
as yellow, orange, red, and
brown. These colours are often
associated with things like the
sun, heat, deserts, etc.
Cool Colours: are hues such as
blue, green, purple, and grey.
These colours are often
associated with things like rain,
clouds, ice, grass, etc.
The colour wheel shows the relationships
between the colours.
Did you know?
Because of their association with things outside the art world, colours can
have a physiological effect on viewers. Cool colours tend to recede in
paintings, which can create a sense of calm in the viewer. In contrast, warm
colours are said to arouse or stimulate the viewer, and often appear to jump
out in paintings. Interior decorators are very conscious of the effects that
colour can have on mood, emotions, and the human psyche; this is
something you may want to consider the next time you paint your room!
ii) Value refers to the intensity of a colour. Colours can be dull, bright, and
everything in between. Changing the value of a colour when painting
involves adding black, or its complement, to dull the colour, or adding white
to brighten the colour.
Value System: a collection of
hues created by gradually
changing the value of one local
colour.
Shades: adding black or the
complementary colour to a
certain hue. For example, you
can create a shade of red by
adding some green or black to it.
Tints: adding white to a colour
will brighten the colour. You can
create a tint of green by adding
some white to it. The result is
often referred to as a pastel
colour.
In this computer graphic, you will see many
tints and shades of green. The use of a broad
value system makes the teapot appear threedimensional.
iii) Line is most often thought of as the mark from point A to point B. Line
can be expressive depending on how it is created. Quick vertical lines can
create a sense of urgency, while a long snaking line may express
tranquility. The expressive quality of line often comes from its association
with the world around us.
AriseArise, by Jennifer Kathleen Phillips, was created in PhotoShop.
Notice how the curve in the lines and the imagery work together to create
a dream-like quality.
iv) Shape is formed when a line meets itself, creating a two-dimensional
enclosed area. Examples of shapes include circle, triangle, square,
rectangle, etc.
Form: the three dimensional counterpart to shape (with height, width, and
depth). A triangle is a shape, but a pyramid, a sphere, and cylinders are
examples of a form.
This collage is a collection of two dimensional square shapes.
An
example of form is the image of the human nose.
v) Space is the area surrounding or within an object. Space is often defined
in terms of negative and positive.
Positive Space: the area within an object, or the space that the object
occupies.
Negative Space: the space surrounding the object.
Adams Church, Ansel Adams, 1942. The positive space is the clay
structure in the foreground and background that make up the walls of the
church. The negative space is the area within the doorway of the front
wall, and the sky that surrounds the back wall.
vi) Texture refers to the surface quality of an object, how it feels to the
touch, or how it looks like it would feel if you touched it. Texture can be
described as smooth, rough, bumpy, slimy, soft, furry, etc. There are two
types of texture found in the art world; actual and simulated.
Actual Texture: texture that can be felt with the sense of touch.
Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, Umberto Boccioni. This sculpture
has an actual surface quality that can be seen with the eyes and felt with
the fingers.
Simulated Texture: texture that is suggested by the artist, but cannot
actually be experienced with the sense of touch
Woman of Rock is a digital painting, but it looks as though it has the surface
quality of a smooth polished rock. This is an example of simulated texture.
Questions for Review and Understanding
1. True or False: By mixing with just red, yellow, and blue paint, you can
create all of the colours on the colour wheel.
Answer
True.
Red + Yellow = Orange
Blue + Red = Purple
Yellow + Blue = Green
Combining the primary colours with some of the secondary colours
creates the other colours on the wheel.
2. a) What two human senses does actual texture engage?
b) How does texture differ from the other art elements?
Answer
a) You need to use both your sense of sight and touch to experience
actual texture.
b) Texture differs from the other elements because line, shape,
colour, space, and value only engage our sense of sight.
3. What is the difference between positive and negative space?
Answer
If you looked at a picture of an apple sitting on a table, the apple and
the table would be identified as positive space. The area surrounding
those objects would be negative space. Therefore, positive space is
the area that the object occupies, and negative space is the area that
is left over.
4. List two elements of art, other than texture, that are evident in
Boccioni’s Unique Forms of Continuity in Space?
Answer
The following elements can be identified in Boccioni’s sculpture:
Line - The edges of the sculpture are defined by horizontal, flowing
lines that suggest movement;
Shape/Form - This is a 3D sculpture, so it referred to as a form;
Colour - The artist has selected a gold colour for his sculpture. Gold
has associations with authority, wealth, and importance. What does
this say about his sculpture?
Space - The sculpture itself creates positive space. The area
between the “legs” and all around creates negative space.