Space is substance. Cézanne painted and modelled space. Giacometti sculpted by “taking the fat off space“. Mallarmé conceived poems with absences as well as words. Ralph Richardson asserted that acting lay in pauses … Isaac Stern described music as “that little bit between each note – silences which give the form” … The Japanese have a word (ma) for this interval which gives shape to the whole. In the West we have neither word nor term. A serious omission. The Art of Looking Sideways, Alan Fletcher
In this assignment students learn to see the space between things. All the drawings are strong, because contrast is naturally enhanced in the composition. Some works are simple and express a less is more sensibility, while others are like a series of complex pathways.
Note the subject-matter stands out, and so does the space between the leaves, stems and flowers.

Seeing Negative by Luis

Shrub by Aaron

Enchanted Forrest by Brittany

Money Tree by Kris

Negative Core by Manny
Kristine, a Native American student, responds to Izzy’s study below, in a personal way. She tells us it reminds her of a place on the reservation where there are many hand impressions left on rocks, from over 200 years ago. Or did she say 2000? Ancestors placed down the palm of their hand against the rock, and blew powdered pigments through hollow tubes over the form. A ghost print remains of the activity.

Phoenix Sunset by Izzy
We enjoy a productive critique. And though the group has just learned the concept of negative space, they will develop and understand its use with each assignment. They’re supportive and constructive in their commentary today.