Line and Space

Fascinating unit this week! I found it interesting learning that there is so much to the dimensional and linear aspects of artwork. I didn't really become observant of linear perspective in our everyday lives until it was suggested as this week's blog topic. Now I notice this all day long. Many buildings are built this way; the first and most obvious structures that stick out in my memory is the architecture in Paris, France.

Take a look at the view of the city from the Champs Elysées in the center; perfect example of the vantage point here. Fantatic lineage in this photograph of the French capital. I'm sure that Gustave Caillebotte was thinking along the same lines with his piece Place de l'Europe on a Rainy Day.

I have a new way to observe some of the most beautiful pieces of artwork now: the art from the Reniassance. Now I can appreciate the artists manipulation of space and dimension to accentuate their work. Much of the art from this period I have learned has implied lines leading to the focus, usually a person. I have missed some of the most obvious messages until this point because I hadn't knowledge of the artists focus. My most recent realization: DaVinci's Last Supper. The one point perspective is flowing from Christ! Seems so obvious, but I just simply never knew...

This week, I have discovered my new favorite art: the beautiful human body. After I read the section in our book on "Outline and Contour Line," I have become increasingly observent of people's muscle outline. For example, look to my picture at the right of this woman's back. We know it is a woman because we can see the outline of her hips below the waist, and her muscles are smaller in size. Her deltoid, rhomboid and latisimus dorsi muscles are beautifully shaped, each is carved with a contour line. I especially love the defined line in the lower back: I think it adds a very feminine touch, and if you look closely, there are two indentations in the lower back as well. Just beautiful...

When we learn to appreciate depth, space, lineage and dimension, we see not only artwork in a new light, but the rest of our world too. We see cities, landscape, people and animals and everything with fresh eyes. Definately my favorite unit in our class so far...