ELEMENTS AND

PRINCIPLES OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS
FORMS

JOVIE MAE S.
PONGTACHON
  Week 6

Elements and Principles of Contemporary Arts Forms

CONTENT/TOPIC
Learning a. appreciate the elements and designs principles of art,
Objectives b. familiarize elements and principles of contemporary
arts,
c. research for art work in our region that follows
elements and principles of contemporary arts.
 Elements of Arts

1. Space- in visual arts can be defined as

a void, an emptiness which can either
be positive or negative. The positive
space refers to a space enclosed in a
shape, while the negative space
denotes the opposite. Moreover, in the
other art forms, space can be referred
to as an interval or pause. In literature,
it is the pause between words, whereas
in music, it is the interval between
notes.
2. Line- it is the extension of a point,
short or long mark drawn or carved on
a surface. It is implied path
suggesting----direction (vertical,
horizontal, diagonal) or character
(jagged, curved, series of dots or
broken lines). In theater line may refer
to the script of the actor. In dance, it
is the series of steps that a dancer
makes.
3. Shape and Form-
Shapes are the most basic
figures like rectangles,
circles, triangles, and
squares while Forms are
the more complex
structures like sphere,
cube, cone, etc. Shapes
are in 2D (have length and
width) while forms are in
3D (have length, width,
and height).
4. Color- it creates a
mood or tone, such as
red for passion anger
or love, blue for peace
etc. Color also varies
from dull to bright,
depending on its
intensity, like in music,
where intensity refers
to the loudness and
softness of a sound.
Color can be having
different meanings,
depending on one’s
culture.
4. Value- in visual
arts, value is the
degree of lightness
and darkness of a
color. In music, it is
called pitch, which
is the highness and
lowness of s tone.
Value suggests an
atmosphere or
mood.
4. Texture- it is the surface of
an art work. A texture can be
actual or tactile, meaning it
can be felt or touch; or it can
simulate or illusory, which
means, it can be seen felt. In
music or writing, texture is
the quality or style of a
composition. The sound from
different instruments allows
one to hear texture in sound.
 Design Principles of Arts
Design is the overall structure of an art form. The principle of design is the so called the
organization of the elements.

1. Harmony- this refers to

the wholeness of the
design, the pleasing
arrangement of parts,
and the agreement
between parts of a
composition, resulting in
a united whole. In music,
harmony is the
combination of musical
notes simultaneously
played to produce music.
In writing, the theme or
the topic is the uniting
factor. A piece of work
that is no harmony is
confusing to read.
1. Variety- it refers to the
assortment or diversity of
a work of art. We can
see variety in all of our
surroundings. Take
flowers as an example.
Flowers come in different
color, shapes, and scent
because every flower
varies from one another.
1. Rhythm- slightly
contrary to variety. It
is the regular repeated
pattern in the
elements of art. it is a
flow, or feeling of
movement, achieved
by the distribution of
visual units or sound
of units in time.
1. Proportion- it is the
relationship of the
elements with one
another in a work. A
well-proportioned
shape is pleasing to
the eye. In a stage
setting, the backdrop
of the props must be
appropriate to the
performers without
outshining them so
that they do not steal
the audience’s
attention.
1. Balance- it pertains to the
even distribution of weight.
It is the principle that deals
with equality.
➢ Formal
Balance/symmetrical
balance- refers to two
sides that are identical
to each other.
➢ Informal Balance /
asymmetrical
balance- refers to the
two sides not identical
to each other yet equal
in visual weight.
1. Movement- this is
a fundamental
principle in
choreography and
the theatre arts.
Movement is a way
to convey feelings
and emotions.
1. Emphasis and
Subordination- Emphasis
is the principle that gives
importance or dominance
to a unit or an area while
subordination, gives less
importance to a unit or area.
Paul Getty Museum defines
art as “arts made and produce
by artist living today”. Today’s
artists work in a respond to
global environment that is
cultural, diverse, technologically
advancing and multi-faceted
based on elements and
principles.
 Elements and Principles Contemporary Arts

1. Appropriation- refers to the act of barrowing or reusing existing elements

within a new work. In barrowing existing imagery or elements of imagery,
artists are re-contextualizing or appropriating the original imagery,
allowing the viewer to renegotiate the meaning of the original in a different,
more relevant, or more current context.
Performance- performance of contemporary artists has evolved to
“emphasize spontaneous, unpredictable elements of chance”
according to Walker Art Center. Performance artists have tried to
interpret various human activities, form ordinary activities such as
chores, routines and rituals, to socially relevant themes such as
poverty, commercialism and war.
1. Space- How art
transforms a space is now an
occupation of contemporary
artists. Flash mob or sculpture
installations in malls and parks
are examples of space or site
art forms. These are
performed and positioned in a
specific spot, especially in
public places.
1. Hybridity-
contemporary artists are now as innovative as ever. In traditional
painting, only few materials are conventional use. Contemporary visual
artists, on the other hand, may opt to use coffee for painting or carve
miniature sculptures using crayons. Hybridity in contemporary arts is
using or mixing of unlikely materials to produce an artwork.
Technology- is the reality
in the present-day world.
Contemporary artist has
used technology in the
creation and dissemination
of work of art. When MTV
first went into the airwaves
in 1981, video became part
of the human interaction.
The video phenomenon
was further pushed by
debut of YouTube that
allowed everyone with
internet connection to post
and share videos.
Contemporary artists have
used video and internet as
a way of propagating art