OPPOSITES ARE ESSENTIAL TO EXISTENCE
OPPOSITES ARE COMPLEMENTARY AND SHARE COMMONALITIES TENSION BETWEEN OPPOSITES CREATE INTEREST COMPLEMENTARY FORCES CREATE A GREATER WHOLE |
YIN & YANGBut before we talk about the elements, we should briefly discuss the idea that underlies how to use the elements effectively.
The Yin Yang is an ancient chinese symbol that represents how opposing and complementary forces give rise to each other. They are interdependent, and together create a greater whole. We will talk more about this idea in the context of line, color, space, and more, but for now it's important to keep four key ideas in mind: 1. Opposites are essential to existence.
The positive and negative charges of subatomic particles make the universe possible, the same goes with opposing elements in the world of art. There is no art without opposites. 2. Opposites are complementary and share commonalities. Even total opposites have aspects in common and are thus drawn together. This is why the word "complements" is often a more favorable term when speaking of the philosophies behind the Yin Yang. 3. Tension between opposites create interest. Artists study how to use the elements of art to create tension. Where there's tension, there is also drama, emotion, beauty and fascination. More importantly, there is an engaged viewer who is able to connect with the art. 4. Complementary forces create a greater whole. When complementary elements of art are used intelligently by the artist; the resulting arrangement of elements are now a greater whole than the sum of the parts. The combined elements create a visual synergy or organic unity in the piece; a common trait found in the greatest works of art making them iconic, timeless, and universally appealing to human kind. And now: The elements of art... |