The Shape of Space

The Zen concept that a bowl's essence is the part that is "missing" corresponds to the graphic concept of negative space. Apply this idea by using only negative shapes to interpret three (3) of the following subjects visually:

Salt, Ghost, Clouds, Whipped Cream, Sugar,
Vanilla Ice-cream Cone, Steam, Jaws

The subjects themselves should not be drawn; only the surrounding negative space and possibly areas in shadow should be addressed, and only in the color black. As a design consideration, the images may be cropped to show only a portion of these subjects

Classwork:

Use pencil and eraser, then ink and brush, or marker (over your pencil) to do 3 preliminary sketches for each word.

Select the most effective solution for each word and execute it on one sheet with a larger drawn format.

Analysis:

The idea of formulating an image by only addressing its background changes the habitual approach toward seeing. When viewers are led to focus solely on background and shadowed areas, it is the unmarked portion of the page--the white ground--that becomes magically transformed into a recognizable subject. The traditional image making process is thereby reversed, with greater emphasis on compositional concerns, negative-positive relationships, and framal reference.

The study of volume and light is another area of exploration within this problem. Through the subtle articulation of light and shadow, an entire image can be implied. This allows the viewer to participate by instinctively completing the missing visual informatio, thereby becoming directly involved with the piece. This mechanism, like the concept of negative and positive forms reversing themselves, challenges the viewers attention--which is the goal of visual communication.

Note: To clarify the meaning of what negative and positive relationships are, it should be understood that images appearing on the page surface are positive, while anything appearing farther back in space is negative. Black does not necessarily represent negative space. (Wilde, Judith and Richard. Visual Literacy. Watson-Guptil Publications, 1991)