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Space

Introduction

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Today the word space is used in many different ways; a place to go; as in outer space or inner space, the space around us; as in personal space, our living space, negative space around an object, the positive space of an object, or simply staring into space. In both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional art, space is an important element that artists must consider how best to use and to show.

 

Architects must carefully consider how the building spaces they design will be used, and how people will need to move through those spaces. Sculptors must consider both the positive and negative spaces around and within the objects they create. Artists who work on the flat surface of the picture plane (a flat level shape occupied by the surface of the picture) must consider how they will arrange their shapes on the surface of the picture, and if they are working in a realistic manner they must consider how they will show the illusion of depth, distance, and space.

Working in 3-D

When experiencing space in the physical world,whether it be in architectural design or in sculpture, we perceive space both by what’s in it, and by its boundaries. We may think space is empty but in reality it is filled with particles both large and small; dust, gasses we breathe, smoke, pollution, clouds or fog. These things can change our visibility and perception of what we are looking at. As we move through space we navigate around the edges of solid objects. These boundaries of solidity define the space we occupy. Objects in a room define the shape and size of the interior space and that space can be measure in terms of volume. Outside it is the buildings,trees, and other objects that determine the space.

 

Take a moment to consider the space that surrounds you right now. Is it small and confining; are there objects that push into your personal space? Are you in a room that is large and spacious with room to stretch out? What does the shape of the space around the objects in your room look like? What does the shape under your chair look like? 

For an architect space is one of the most important elements they have to work with. An architect must design a space that is pleasing for people to live, work, and play in,

 

Here is a nice quote from an architectural blog that describes one of the roles of an architect. (Scroll)

 

 

The architect must act as a composer that orchestrates space into a synchronization for function and beauty through the senses – and how the human body engages space is of prime importance. As the human body moves, sees,smells, touches, hears and even tastes within a space – the architecture comes to life.

 

The rhythm of an architecture can be felt by occupants as a result of the architect’s composition – or arrangement of all the sensorial qualities of space. By arranging spatial sensorial features, an architect can lead occupants through the functional and aesthetic rhythms of a created place.Architectural building for all the senses can serve to move occupants –elevating their experience.

 

Architectural space is about layering for all of the senses.Like a musical composition, spatial features come together into a symphony for occupants to experience. Bringing a space to life means that architectural function and form is not just primarily for the visual sense. By engaging all of the senses, form and function may be more fully expressed so occupants can have deeper, more meaningful moments – feeling the bouquet of their surroundings in all of its dimensions. 

Space in Architecture

Architectural Links

These links will give you an idea of what is happening in the world of contemporary architecture commercially, residentially, and in outer space.

 

I.M. Pei (a founding member of Pei Cobb Freed and Partners Architects) is one of the most notable architects of our time. Often described as a master in his field, his designs show some of the most innovative thinking of the 20thcentury.

 

To see more pictures of the work in this firm, go here and click on the projects link at the top. If you are interested in learning more about Pei there are many good videos on YouTube. 

Another Young artist/architect is Maya Lin, she approaches her work in a very sculptural way.

This company out of new Zeland specializes in family home and personal living space.

 

This blog has great articles, slideshows and pod casts on a variety of architectural topics.

If you are interested in actually designing for outer space you can read about it here,download, and assembled at home, architectural models from here  or become part of a university program here.

 

Check out this YouTube Video...

Space in Sculpture

Sculptures are 3 dimensional works that can be seen from all sides. It’s the shaping or assembling of materials into open or closed forms. This link will give you visual examples contrasting the difference between open and closed forms.

 

Sculptors plan their work in such a way that the viewer’s eye is able to move from part top art. A feeling of movement is suggested through the use of curved or diagonal lines. In the case of some artists like Alexander Calder moving parts are used to provide actual motion.This type of art is called Kinetic art. Today some contemporary artists provide motion through the use of projected images on a still surface, or the creative use of projected light on a variety of surfaces and textures.

 

conversation with a potted plant 3-D projections on buildings Animal sculptures with light The work of Jenny Holzer

 

You can see contemporary sculpture work here, (click on the arrow at the bottom of the featured sculptures window).

 

Or tour the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden here.

 

Working in 2-D

Artists working in the flatness of 2 dimensions have different challenges working with the element of space.These challenges vary depending on if you are working in an abstract, or realistic manner. 

 

If you are working in the abstract, the arrangement of your subject matter has more to do with making your work of art look balance and interesting rather than showing the illusion of depth.

 

These techniques include:

 

Overlapping – visually placing one object in front of another

High and low placement – within the picture plane placing some objects higher or lower

Linear perspective – one, two and three point perspective with vanishing points

Aerial perspective – using variations in color, intensity and the sharpness of an object’s outline (light colors and fuzzy outlines make things seem more distant)

Relative size – smaller objects next to larger objects seem further away

Working in 2-D continued...

If you are working in a realistic manner the challenge becomes how to show the illusion of depth, space, and perspective. There are several techniques that an artist can employ to do this,and many times you will see several of these ways used together.

 

These two links will show you some more examples:   Wiu.edu      Blue Moon