Interaction of simple geometric forms
Composition… One of the most important ingredients of art also plays a major role in architecture and interior design. Proportions, visually satisfying balance and geometry of artistic composition are interpreted in architecture and enhanced by using various materials and lighting. Same aesthetical and visual principles manifested in “pure” art are applied to “more functional and useful” art of architecture whether planning several thousand square feet of space or designing small display fixture.
For over 25 years I have been experimenting with what I call “compositionism” - art based on interaction and communication of simple geometric forms where composition plays major role. Being closer to avant-garde side of art I do not use composition tools to illustrate, but rather to express. Same shapes would create different effects depending on a subject of composition: simple rectangles, circles, triangles and lines would feel very different in a portrait of Salvador Dali compare to a portrait of Friedrich Nietzsche. Basic square could be very calm and it also could be very active. Even though feelings are expressed thru geometry and composition, I still like to bring element of “recognizability” (especially in portraits), but the way I use it is far from conventional path, very limited and needed only to get viewer to positively react and feel more comfortable and start exploring my art.
Working in architectural and interior design field I use principles of composition in my projects (of course not going as radical as my art) and apply them to achieve different goals…
For example, idea of “black box” either as a two-dimensional composition or a three-dimensional object (see picture-1) became a concept for design of a small footwear boutique store. Simple rectangles and squares were transformed into display elements of a wall panel – using basic shapes in both directions (positive - bump out and negative - niche) “geometrical alphabet letters” were created and put together as a composition incorporating not only aesthetical principles (alignment, proportions, balance, etc.) but also functional constrains (depth of a shelf, height of a niche, etc.), see picture-2.
This composition was further enriched by using contrasting materials (dark colored plastic laminates of wall panels and shelves faces, translucent acrylic of display boxes, etc.) and complimented by lighting (various applications of built in light fixtures, color-changing LEDs in focal wall niches, ceiling mounted adjustable downlights), see picture-3. Because of “reality” of this composition (and architecture/interior design nature in general), several “behind the scenes” considerations had to be taken into account – engineering of framing structure, access for maintenance, customer reachability and displays capacities, clearances for optimal light distribution, color-changing LED controls, ventilation, etc.), but the end result is a successful store – “useful” architectural interpretation of a composition that carries thru original “black box” aesthetics (see picture-4).
Below are few more examples of “compositionism” in some of my projects (interior design, signage/graphics and art):
