Formal Elements(Form&Shape)

Form & Shape
In terms of art, form refers to the shape, visual appearance and perhaps the configuration of an object. In fact, the difference between form and shape is that form has both mass and volume, whereas, shape has only mass. In other words, shape can be seen as the physical form, it is the essential element in composition. It consists of point, line, curve and plane; it has transformable and two dimensional properties which can be combined with other visual elements to produce the sense of space.

As an extraordinary element in composition, artists often regard shape as the key to a successful and thought provoking piece of art. In essence, it accomplishes variety and conveys emotions and thoughts throughout an artwork. In some sense, shape, the external and physical form, often can be manipulated and creates illusion of three dimensions on a two dimensional surface and also appear on the surface of a three dimensional.

The massive, quirky and phallic sculpture ‘Rock Drill’ by Jacob Epstein is certainly a perfect example of three dimensional works transformed into two dimensions first, and then transformed back to three dimensions. The idea of ‘Rock Drill’ first encountered the talented young sculptor in the pre war days, it was created due he his ardour for machinery and perhaps his sexual craziness. The central shape of this masterpiece is triangular, the kickstand of the machine gun gathers together into the genitalia point which is extremely priapic. In addition, the triangular shape is also a sinister figure Personally, I think the triangular shape of this piece subtly indicates the theme, which are phallism and gender domination.