Chapter 1 Reading Responses

1. How would the composition change if one or more lines were removed?

Removing a line could take away from the artist's meaning, or make it unclear what they are trying to portray, but it could also lend new or deeper meaning as well as create an interesting composition.

2. What happens when you combine flat, solid shapes with gradated shapes? Or fuse negative and positive?

Contrasting shapes with differing depths emphasizes the dimension of the gradated shape; this can create a compelling image when used in an abstract piece. Fusing negative and positive helps to create a sense of balance.

3. What happens when you invert the values?

Usually inverting the colors in a picture creates an unsettling image because while the image itself (the lines and proportions) are familiar, the color palette is strange and makes the picture seem very unnatural.

4. Choose an artist's piece and discuss the methods used. 

I liked Warren Neidich's conversation maps. In this, participants had lights attached to their fingers while they conversed in sign language. Neidich photographed the conversations with long exposure. The photos were originally black and white but were later digitized, superimposed, and colored with imaging software. In the final images, anywhere from 5 to 30 images are layered.