Book of Shapes
The Book of Shapes is an exercise in composition using triangles, rectangles, & circles.
Each arrangement offers new ways for them to interact. New rules are added to arouse even more possibilities.
With each iteration, the process evolves into a more complex system while maintaining the same simple elements.
Click the buttons to see each set. Scroll down to see the rules.
There are always 3 shapes in each quadrant.
One shape is Black.
Another is White.
The third is Grey.
Things change when they overlap.
Sometimes the background is shaded in.
Sometimes the shapes go off the paper.
Sometimes new shapes form when 2 others meet
One shape has a twin
The paper gets wet.
Things get “wavy” sometimes.
The Rules
Foundation
Each composition must have:
Circle, Triangle, Rectangle
Black, White, Grey
Volume 1
Quadrant: Compositions are localized to quadrants
Sectional Contrast: A space created by shape boundary or shape overlap must have a different value from adjacent spaces
Opacity: Shape overlap may cause a change in value
Volume 2
Background: Negative space may fulfill value requirements
Fill Merger: A space created by shape boundary or shape overlap may have the same or a different value as adjacent spaces
Off Road: Shapes may pass beyond the quadrant & picture plane
Volume 3
Doppelgänger: One Shape may be duplicated. Total 4 shapes per quadrant.
Wet/Dry: Use of wet & dry media/ water solubles
Border- Bender: Shape boundaries may warp or bend. Circles may become ellipses.
Volume 4
Medium: Compositions may exist in any/multiple mediums
Rabbit: Compositions may contain any number or combination of circles/ellipses, rectangles, and triangles
Line: Straight lines may be used in addition to circles/ellipses, rectangles, and triangles