Key Terms

Vocabulary Review

The terms or "key words" related to each are presented here as reminders. However, the terms are not in alphabetical order as in the textbook but are presented in groupings or paired opposites. It is hoped that this will help to see the greater relationship between terms and their application. For the complete meaning of the term please review the definition given in the AF text.

The Vocabulary of Shape

Shape: "An area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture."

actual shape

implied shape

types of shapes:

amorphous shape
biomorphic shape
geometric shape
rectilinear shape
circular shape

spatial treatment of shapes:

decorative shape
two-dimensional shape
plane
planar shape

plastic shape
three-dimensional (shape)
mass
volume

the use of shape to interpret subject matter:

objective (shape)
subjective (shape)
invented(shape)
non-representational or non-objective (shape)
abstracted (shape)

perspective

Art which developed shapes in specific ways:

Cubism
Surrealism

equivocal space

kinetic art

gestalt, gestalt psychology

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
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