Entwined - Modern Art Abstract Sculpture
Negative space is a composition of space that is around or between objects or it may be called the “empty background,” those things that we aren’t usually conscious about in our daily lives. As it is shown in the above picture of sculptures of modern art made with white marble, the space around is the negative space.
Similarly, in other art forms the area that surrounds and lies between a form or some object is the negative space, it is something that highlights the subject matter. To understand the concept of negative space in depth, we have to understand the concept of positive space as it excludes the main elements or compositions of the design.
For example in a photograph of a long tree against the sky, the tree is the positive space as it is the only thing we can perceive against the empty sky. Another illustration might be a bitten apple, where the shape surrounding it and the positive space combine to create a unique and unforgettable silhouette.
These two compositions together form a visual balance, influencing each other and impacting the aesthetics of an image or design. The deliberate use of these spaces allows artists and designers to create compositions that are visually appealing and convey meaning and emotion.
Though negative space is considered an insignificant element, it can also be a potent tool in really making the entire composition come together, without negative space there is no subject matter or highlighted element. It is an interesting and easily ignored element most of the time, but it also means that empty or unoccupied places are compositions used to express meaning and achieve balance.
Negative Space in Modern Art
"Art is the elimination of the unnecessary." - Pablo Picasso
(Modern Art Sculpture - Exotic India Art)
Modern art is a rebellious term to categorize those artworks that don’t follow the traditional ideology to portray art. The sculpture above is a rebellious piece of art it has a very smooth display of a figure, an abstract sculpture, that brilliantly displays the interaction between positive and negative space through its shape.
The soft figure, with a symbolic gesture, placing a hand towards the mouth creates an action of silence. The details on the sculpture or the sculpture itself are the positive space, it represents the silence and meditative atmosphere.
In contrast, the negative space around the person becomes a forceful force, emphasizing the unspoken and the gap caused by silence. This is a creative area defined by merely subtle features that encourage contemplation. But the negative space around them comes into existence, highlighting the importance of the space and its peaceful stillness.
The sculpture's form is enhanced by this creative use of negative space, which also contributes to the notion of peaceful contemplation and silent reflection. Although we have grasped the concept of positive and negative space through modern art with its rebellious expressions, will it be possible to understand the concept of art as well?
Possibly yes, we can understand these two concepts through the traditional art form, as long as we can perceive the world through our senses. As an illustration, the things we are exposed to in our daily lives, the things we readily communicate, and the things that people think of when they think of us all constitute a positive space.
Similarly, the difficult things we choose not to discuss, display, or share are just as significant as the other things that make up our identities. Negative space is where our frequently overlooked, underappreciated attention needs to be called to attention.
(Charcoal Painting - Exotic India Art)
As seen in this traditional art form made with charcoal, how well the artist has played the positive and negative space to display a stunning piece of art, which gives the eye a rest and has a natural visual rhythm. A balance between positive and negative space is important for an aesthetically pleasing and understandable composition.
The artist has displayed only two color tones yet they have displayed a deliberate interplay of positive and negative space adding depth and narrative to the child’s figure, smiling gently as droplets of water fall from their face, enveloped in a towel, in this charcoal sketch.
With a slight smile and facial details, the child becomes the center from which positive space radiates warmth and innocence, the space surrounding him is displayed in dark pitch black which could tagged as the negative space.
The Beauty of Negative Space
As it is hard to notice negative space, it still holds its beauty and specialty to transform ordinary things into extraordinary. As we look at the sky, we can assume that negative space is the blue sky that makes the clouds so admirable to the eyes of the beholder.
Negative space is like the pauses between musical notes that give a melody its richness, negative space in art and design provides a canvas for the imagination to breathe and flourish. Negative and positive space starts with one solitary thing that stands out and draws the eye among a significant amount of sensory data. The silent conductor orchestrates a visual symphony, guiding the viewer's gaze and emphasizing the subject's essence.
Conclusion
Art is a vast concept that cannot be explained in a few words, it involves creative or imaginative talent to express, and it involves technical expressions like beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. But to understand art, at first, we have to understand positive and negative space, thus the next time you see a piece of art like a sculpture or a pretty painting, take time to understand and appreciate the negative space, even though it is an insignificant element in an art form it helps positive space to outshine itself. Though negative space is a widely unnoticed part of the work, it's an important element in art. Negative space can become a symbol, serving as the basis of a visual metaphor expressing still deeper meanings.
