DIMENSIONS: FORM / Guide
R E F E R E N C E S
Space n. 1. the unlimited or indefinitely great three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur. 2. the portion or extent of this in a given instance. 3. extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface. 4. Fine Arts. a. the designed and structured surface of a picture. b. the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. 5. the region beyond the earthÍs atmosphere containing the rest of the cosmos. 6. a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc. 7. a particular linear distance. 8. Math. a system of objects with relations between the objects defined. 9. extent, or a particular extent, of time. 10. an interval of time; a while. 11. an area or interval allowed for or taken by advertising, as in a periodical. 12. Music. the interval between two adjacent lines of the staff. 13. Print. a blank piece of metal used to separate words, sentences, etc. 14. Telegraphy. an interval during the transmitting of a message when the key is not in contact. -v.t. 15. to fix the space or spaces of; divide into spaces. 16. to set some distance apart. 17. Print., Writing. a. to separate [words, letters, or lines] by spaces. b. to extend by inserting more space or spaces [usually fol. by out ]. -adj. 18. of or pertaining to space or spaces: space design. 19. of, in, or pertaining to the regoin beyond the earth's atmosphere: a space shot. [ME < OF (e) space < L spatium.
Space-time 1. Also called space-time continuum. the four-dimensional continuum, having three spatial coordinates and one temporal coordinate. 2. the physical reality that exists within this four-dimensional continuum. -adj. 3. of, pertaining to, or noting a system with three spatial coordinates and one temporal coordinate. 4. noting, pertaining to, or involving both space and time.
Spatiotemporal 1. pertaining to space-time. 2. of or pertaining to both space and time.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House, 1968.]
The Painters Craft
Shade is descriptive of a degree of variation in color--for example, a lighter or darker shade of ink, a more reddish shade of purple. In any system of color gradation, a step in the scale may be called a shade.
[Mayer, Ralph. The Painter's Craft. An Introduction to ArtistÍs Methods and Materials. Revised and updated by Steven Sheehan, Director of the Ralph Mayer Center, Yale University School of Art. New York: Penquin Group. 1948. 1991. p. 29]
Categories of space: Space in General; Dimensions; Structure-Form; Motion
Space in General
A. Abstract Space
Dimensions
A. General Dimensions
Structure, Form
A. General Form
Motion
A. Motion in General
[Roget's International Thesaurus, Third Edition. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1962.]
Two-dimensional Design. Used to signify an involvement with figure-ground space in the graphic sense of impressing marks over a surface - Composing space on a flat surface using all the graphic experience already gained.
Three-Dimensional. Several lines together--or differing tones areas--create an illusion of three dimensionality, of space in depth.
Three-Dimensional Design. Indicates that the figure-ground problem is one in which real, environmental space is involved and becomes part of the piece, as in sculpture or architecture.
[Collier, Graham. Form, Space & Vision, An Introduction to Drawing and Design. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1985.]
To these must be added two other factors which also play an important role in determining three-dimensionality:
Definitions of Space
Two-Dimensional. Any line, moving in any direction, makes an obvious two-dimensional division of space vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
To Produce an Illusion of 3-D Space
Two most important factors which produce an illusion of three-dimensional space when lines, points, or areas of stain are drawn on an empty ground are:
1) Contrasting values of light and dark to establish figure and determine position in space.
2) Directional movement in terms of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal inclination.
1) Placement of line, point, or area: the spatial implications that occur when the positions of top or bottom, left or right, and center are occupied by drawing marks.
2) Quality of line, which is determined by:
[Collier, Graham. Form, Space & Vision, An Introduction to Drawing and Design. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1985.]
(a) weight: thickness or thinness, suggesting spread or bulk
(b) tone value: range of tone from dark to light
(c) constitution or build: dullness and indistinctness, edge diffusion and vagueness, or sharpness and clarity
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