Symmetry surrounds a person from birth. First of all, it manifests itself in animate and inanimate nature: magnificent deer horns, butterfly wings, crystal structure of a snowflake pattern. All laws and rules that a person brought out through observation and analysis to create a composition were borrowed from the outside world. And initially, the image carried an informational function, gradually overgrowing the author's emotional, valuable experiences. Is the symmetrical composition so simple, and is it possible to convey a rich artistic image with its help? Perhaps it is a “thing in itself” that an unprepared viewer will not immediately consider.
Composition
The Latin word compositio ("compilation") is the basis for the 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 compiled by the artist are diverse. The main ones are form, color, texture, rhythm, contrast, nuance, proportions. Laws are few in number, but are binding: balance, unity, and subordination.
For any symmetric composition, the basis is the plane of its placement. It basically determines the use of certain expressive means.
Plane
What needs to be done to see the plane? Just look at her. After all, the human eye is a unique receiver of information, already "trained" by nature to correct vision.
In nature, there are conditions under which optical illusions occur, but, strangely enough, they are regular and have been studied enough to date. Therefore, the vast majority of people clearly 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 arrangement on the short side gives the figure lightness, mobility.
- Equal in size figures seem different due to the play of light: white forms on a dark background always look larger than their black counterparts.
- The bounding horizontal lines seem to expand the space, while the vertical ones lengthen it.
Only the most common illusions that should be considered when building a symmetric composition from geometric shapes are listed above.
Shapes on the plane
The variety of different shapes can be reduced to a triangle, square, rectangle, circle, point and line. The composition forms and the plane on which they are placed are conditionally related by the design 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 convergence point 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 passive. All elements of a symmetrical composition interact with the structure of the plane and, subject to visual equilibrium, form a harmonious structure.
Symmetry
This phenomenon is found everywhere: in biology, chemistry, geometry. Among the samples of art, it is most often used in architecture, arts and crafts, and drawings.
The word is of Greek origin, in the literal translation "proportionality" and means a balanced arrangement of forms relative to axes or points. Helical symmetry is often the subject of the image itself. The most used types of symmetry are:
- mirror;
- central
- axial;
- transfer.
Possible use difficulties
Composing balanced compositions using symmetry is not such a simple task as it seems at first glance. Here, the artist is required to know some patterns:
- The creation of a memorable symmetrical composition can occur only in the perfect correspondence of all components (sometimes even a small deviation can ruin the work).
- Such work does not carry any novelty and surprise, therefore, there is a high percentage of probability to go into "boring balancing."
Taking these features into account allows craftsmen to create truly masterpieces of symmetrical compositions, examples of which can be observed in architecture, painting, interior design, landscape design and other areas of art.
Closure and openness
There are centripetal and centrifugal paintings. The former are designed so that the viewer's eye gradually returns to the middle of the picture. Such works are framed by fields, which are a clear indication of the boundaries. The supposed conjecture of the plot of the picture or drawing on the one already written on the canvas indicates centrifugality, or open composition. Such works are quite difficult to understand and require a certain time to comprehend.
The symmetric decorative composition is likely to be closed, because its purpose is to decorate space. In this case, stability, isolation, tranquility, balance are just right. Quite often, decoration is carried out in three-dimensional space. But laws operate both on the plane and in volumetric execution. Therefore, a photo of a symmetrical composition will not lose its semantic meaning (subject to the professionalism of the photographer), and made by a master can even add color.
Dynamics and Statics
To convey movement and peace, 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, firmness. Characteristic features of such constructions:
- The use of the structure of the plane is clearly traced in the composition of composite groups due to a certain order of construction.
- Items for the plot are selected similar in basic parameters: form, texture, etc.
- A “soft” tonal scale is used with the avoidance of sharp contrasts.
The dynamics in the composition are transmitted using inverse methods. Thus, the elements coordinated among themselves leave an impression of internal tension, desire for movement, or even a directed jerk.
For example, a symmetrical composition of rectangles can exude unshakable calm, which is achieved using the methods described above. But it’s enough to add a little color variety (the symmetry will cease to be strict) - and the same rectangles already convey other information to the viewer: alarm, tension, expectation. The appearance of dynamics in a composition is able to bring it to another organizational reality.
Symmetry and asymmetry
Oddly enough, 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 little slight deviation from symmetry).
It does not require a strict selection of elements according to 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 she who is evidence of competent building the integrity of the image.
Based on this, we can conclude that the value of the picture does not consist in the use by the author of a particular technique of layout of the material, but is manifested in an accessible way of conveying the idea of the work, its emotional richness. It cannot be argued that symmetric and asymmetric compositions differ only in the complexity of their performance for the artist. Indeed, “brevity is the sister of talent” and often “everything ingenious is simple.” Moreover, simplicity in such cases becomes pervasive (both in execution and in perception).
Symmetry is used by contemporary artists, as well as their predecessors. It is guaranteed to provide an impression of the majesty of the depicted objects, solemnity and pomposity. In symmetry embodied one of the most unshakable and enduring laws of nature - the desire for balance.
However, human life (and the impressions of its living) are often far from balanced. Therefore, asymmetric paintings appear, filled with emotions, movement, contradictions and dreams. An artist does not have the right to stay away from current events.
Conclusion
Despite the apparent simplicity, symmetrical compositions are examples of harmony between the world and nature. However, asymmetric constructions are not without this property. The unity of such compositions is not immediately apparent to the viewer, since it is built on certain laws that are not related to the axes of symmetry. The aesthetic value of both forms of image is not in doubt, as it has been repeatedly tested by time.