Space

The Concept of Space

Of all the fundamental elements which contribute to the visual arts and are combined in them, space is the most elusive concept. It may be defined as the area around or adjacent to shapes and forms, separated from them by some kind of boundary or surface. The boundary between shape and space may be one of colour (e.g. Colour figures 5–7, 9), tone (e.g. Figures 3.4, 4.2, 4.5, 8.4d–f) or line (e.g. Figures 3.7, 3.8, 8.3c–h); and it may be sharply defined and hard (e.g. Figure 8.6) or fuzzy and soft (Figures 4.3, 8.5a–k). It is difficult to discuss space other than in this rather negative way, yet it is an essential part of most drawing, painting, sculpture and craft, because ...