Symmetry surrounds a person from birth. First of all, it manifests itself in animate and inanimate nature: magnificent deer antlers, butterfly wings, the crystal structure of the snowflake pattern. All the laws and rules that a person deduced to create a composition through observation and analysis were borrowed from the outside world. And initially the image had an informational function, gradually acquiring emotional, valuable experiences of the author. Is a symmetrical composition so simple, and is it possible to convey a rich artistic image with its help? Perhaps she is a "thing in itself" that an unprepared viewer will not immediately consider.
Composition
The Latin word compositio ("drawing up") is the basis for art forms of different genres. It is the composition that is responsible for the integrity of the work. Different compositional solutions obey the same strict laws. The elements composed by the artist are diverse. The main ones are -form, color, texture, rhythm, contrast, nuance, proportions. The laws are few but obligatory: balance, unity and subordination.
For any symmetrical composition, the basis is the plane of its placement. It basically determines the use of certain expressive means.
Plane
What do you need to do to see the plane? Just look at her. After all, the human eye is a unique receiver of information, already "trained" by nature to see correctly.
In nature, there are conditions under which optical illusions occur, but, oddly enough, they are natural and sufficiently studied today. Therefore, the vast majority of people unambiguously perceive the plane. Natural differences exist between people who use hieroglyphs and those who read and write with letters. Cultural differences play an important role in this case.
However, there are illusions of perception of the composition of symmetrical figures, common to the inhabitants of the entire planet. They are based on the features of the mechanism for processing visual impressions by the brain:
- The rectangle, located on the long side to the horizon, seems heavy, stable. At the same time, the location on the short side gives the figure lightness and mobility.
- Shapes of the same size seem different due to the play of light: white shapes on a dark background always look larger than their black counterparts.
- Bounding horizontal lines seem to expandspace, while vertical ones lengthen it.
The above lists only the most common illusions that should be considered when building a symmetrical composition from geometric shapes.
Forms on the plane
A variety of different shapes can be reduced to triangle, square, rectangle, circle, point and line. The forms of the composition and the plane on which they are placed are conditionally connected by the idea of the image. Even a blank sheet of paper is endowed with a conditional structure. Its plane can be dissected into horizontal, vertical and diagonal axes (relative to which a symmetrical composition is built).
The point of convergence of all lines is in the center of the plane and is always actively perceived by the viewer. Parts of the plane that extend beyond the center are felt to be passive. All elements of a symmetrical composition interact with the structure of the plane and, provided visual balance is achieved, form a harmonious structure.
Symmetry
This phenomenon is found everywhere: in biology, chemistry, geometry. Among the examples of art, it is most often used in architecture, arts and crafts, drawings.
The word is of Greek origin, literally translated "proportionality" and denotes a balanced arrangement of forms relative to axes or a point. Screw symmetry is often itself the subject of the image. The most used types of symmetryare:
- mirror;
- central;
- axial;
- transfer.
Possible usage difficulties
Composing compositions that are balanced with the help of symmetry is not such a simple task as it seems at first glance. Here the artist is required to know some patterns:
- Creation of a memorable symmetrical composition can only happen when all components are perfectly matched (sometimes even a small digression can ruin the work).
- Such works do not carry novelty and surprise, so there is a high percentage of probability to go into a "boring balancing".
Taking into account these features allows craftsmen to create truly masterpiece samples of symmetrical compositions, examples of which can be seen in architecture, painting, interior design, landscape design and other areas of art.
Closedness and openness
There are pictures centripetal and centrifugal. The first are designed in such a way that the viewer's gaze gradually returns to the middle of the picture. Such works are framed by margins, which are a clear indication of the boundaries. The supposed conjecture of the plot of the picture or drawing on the canvas already written on the canvas indicates centrifugal, or open composition. Such works are quite difficult to perceive and require a certain amount of time to comprehend.
Symmetrical decorativethe composition is likely to be closed, because its purpose is to decorate the space. In this case, stability, isolation, calmness, poise are just right. Quite often, decoration is carried out in three-dimensional space. But the laws operate both on the plane and in volume. Therefore, a photo of a symmetrical composition will not lose its meaning (provided the professionalism of the photographer), and made by a master, can even add color.
Dynamics and statics
To convey movement and rest, the artist uses all available means: color, rhythm, texture, lines, shapes, etc. What is static? This is the arrangement of the elements of the composition, which leaves the viewer with the impression of stillness, balance, inviolability. Characteristic features of such constructions:
- The use of the plane structure in the composition of compositional groups is clearly traced due to a certain order of construction.
- Objects for drawing up the plot are selected similar in basic parameters: shape, texture, etc.
- A "soft" tonal range is used, avoiding sharp contrasts.
Dynamics in the composition is transmitted using reverse methods. Thus, coordinated elements leave the impression of internal tension, a desire for movement, or even a directed jerk.
For example, a symmetrical arrangement of rectangles can exude unshakable calm, which is achieved using the methods described above. But it is enough to bringa little color diversity (symmetry will no longer be strict) - and the same rectangles already convey other information to the viewer: anxiety, tension, expectation. The appearance of dynamics in the composition can lead it to another organizational reality.
Symmetry and asymmetry
Strange as it may seem, but balance (or balance) is the basic principle of the structure of all life in the world. Therefore, asymmetry does not mean a lack of order in the composition - it is a free order (just a slight deviation from symmetry).
It does not require a strict selection of elements by tone, texture, volume, weight. The beauty of the components is emphasized by their dissimilarity and location in relation to each other. However, it is in such compositions that an experienced artist pays special attention to balance, since it is precisely this that is evidence of the competent alignment of the integrity of the image.
Based on this, we can conclude that the value of the picture does not lie in the use by the author of this or that technique of arranging the material, but is manifested in the accessible communication of the idea of the work, its emotional richness. It cannot be argued that symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions differ only in the complexity of their execution for the artist. After all, “brevity is the sister of talent” and often “everything ingenious is simple.” Moreover, simplicity in such cases becomes all-pervading (both in execution and in perception).
Symmetry is used by modern artists, as well as their predecessors. She isguaranteed to create the impression of the grandeur of the depicted objects, solemnity and pomposity. Symmetry embodies one of the most unshakable and enduring laws of nature - the desire for balance.
However, human life (and the impressions of living it) is often far from balanced. Therefore, asymmetric pictures appear, filled with experiences, movement, contradictions and dreams. The artist has no right to remain aloof from ongoing events.
Conclusion
Despite their apparent simplicity, symmetrical compositions are examples of the harmony of the world and nature. However, asymmetric constructions are not without this property. The unity of such compositions is not immediately revealed to the viewer's eye, since it is built on certain patterns that are not related to the axes of symmetry. The aesthetic value of both forms of representation is not in doubt, as it has been repeatedly tested by time.
