This is a reasoning and ciritique of the already posted shape compositions for Assignment 3.
TRIANGLES
High Contrast- This is my favourite amongst the triangles. I decided to focus on creating contrast between the lines as well as the paper, as opposed to just between a dark mass and the white background. The thin lines are meant to create a shape which has 3-D quality (sort of like a falling arrow head, while the thicker line is meant to bring the shape back "down" to a flat surface or plain foreshadowing the "arrowheads" eventual arrival to the ground.
Low Contrast- The small triangles are "trapped" within the pin which is the large triangle. The majority of the small triangles are looking forward and to the right as I didn't want them to have a very intelligent quality (as they would if they were all completely focused up or perfectly aligned with the large triangle) yet I still wanted them to have a uniform quality in relation to each other. Two of the triangles are questioning their existence within these confines by looking at the other two sides. The large triangle which serves as the pin is looking forward and to the right to bring out the irony that it is also confined to a pin but a rectangular one which is the box (and in turn it too is in a box, etc.).
Symmetrical Balance- It is probably apparent that this design draws from aboriginal artwork. It is meant to be very flat. The wingish shapes are meant to mimic the overlapping of feathers while still remaining a simple composition. The three "squares" create repetition making the viewer's eye go all around the page.
Asymmetrical Balance- This one is inspired by the shattering of an object and the falling of its pieces. It is very chaotic while at the same time showing the potential for art within an accidental frozen moment in time.
CIRCLES
High Contrast- The four white triangles that exist within the negative space of the page help move your eye around, while the white lines outlining the black circles help guide the viewer from circle to circle. Looking at it now I might make the outlines a little thicker.
Low Contrast- This one is meant to be a sun reflecting down upon a surface as well as the rippling in a still body of water confined within the rectangle. I took some liberty with the shape of the rippling as it would probably not be that off center in reality but I wanted to deal with the inevitability of the lines reaching the bottom side if it was allowed to go on shining or rippling, yet now it never will.
Symmetrical Balance- I have always found it interesting that Herrman Rorschach accidentally spawned a whole new art form without ever intending to or perhaps never even realizing it. He may have been hailed as a great artist if he had (maybe a philosophical artist like a Rene Magritte). This led me to intentionally create art while using the ink-blot test in mind. It also lends itself perfectly to being symmetrical.
Asymmetrical Balance- this one feels like a logo. It reminds me of an olive escaping from an olive jar or a container's lid simply sliding open.
RECTANGLES (I decided to use all squares)
High Contrast- This one reminds me of a sculpture. It has a heavy feeling to it when placed on the bottom of its page. I like that it is three squares, depending on how you look at it, that make up one mass or shape.
Low Contrast-The bottom triangles are either afraid of the top one or shunning it. If I was not confined to it being low contrast I would have put a bolder outline on it. As I was confined to these constraints I tilted the top square onto a corner which creates the feeling that it is looking at the others.
Symmetrical Balance- This one reminds me of a labyrinth or a rug. It would be an easy labyrinth to get through unless you wanted to get to the middle.
Asymmetrical Balance- This is the only piece where I incorporated a different basic shape within the composition of squares (a circle). The circular arrangement combined with the off centered arrangement of mismatched squares makes it seem unpredictable.
