Uneven, curved, flowing and irregular, these are all some descriptions on organic shapes and lines. We often observe these lines and shapes in nature, when we look at tree branches and leaves or the shapes of the waves of the sea. In fact, there is rare to find straight lines and geometrical shapes in nature. Referring to geometrical shapes, these can be described as forms that are geometrical and mathematically perfect, like a circle, triangle, quadrate or a square.
Interestingly, depending on the context, we sometimes attribute emotions and values to different shapes. The psychology of the shapes, lines and forms, is well known to designers and artists. As an example, many would think of something round as something soft, with feminine attributes and square shapes as more masculine and harder. In corporate design the square shape is often used to symbolize stability and something reliable.
The shapes in the natural world are most of the time uneven and non-geometrical with curved lines and irregular patterns. Natural shapes are often perceived as calming, peaceful and pleasing to the eyes. Natural designs often can be both captivating and intriguing, when shapes are like the spiral in a shell. Dynamic, in motion and connected with growth and motion. These shapes can often be found to also represent the circle of life or unity.
In animation, different shapes are used on different characters to represents different traits. Triangular and square body shapes in combination with straight lines are often connected to characters with “evil” traits or to incite fear. In the same way may “good characters” be connected to round or curved lines and figures, something soft and kind.
Even in nature we might have different perceptions of the traits we put to an object we observe. Looking at a rock, for example, we might see hard cut edges, depending on the material of the stone. Looking at it, we might expect it to be hard to touch, heavy or strong. When we look at a round stone by the shore of the ocean, when it has been washed and sanded by the water and the edges of it are gone, we might associate it with something soothing or comforting because of its round shape. The look of the shape affects our perception of its quality. Patterns and irregular shapes are common in nature and many times this combination creates different textures that again gives us specific connotations when we look at them or like some of us, we might get an urge to touch it to find out how the texture feel.
Organic art shapes are often flowing, unpredictable, imperfect and irregular. Organic shapes can give a motive a natural, comforting or soft feel. Abstract shapes on the other hand can be described as fluid, simplified natural shapes or symbols. The meaning behind abstract shapes is open to interpretation of the viewer and the maker. The meaning of the shapes and the lines might be literal or symbolical.
Throughout my artistic journey, as a glassblower and during the years doing graphic design, geometrical and straight shapes have had a lot of focus in the work I have done. Focus on getting the glass to have the same angle as the outlined design, or look the same as the previous one made in the same series. In graphic designs it has often been a focus on having a clean and corporate feel, with straight lines and geometrical shapes. Learning to work with geometrical shapes doing art and design is basic and important to develop good artistic skills. The fact that all organic shapes can be broken down in geometrical shapes proves this point and is quite mind boggling and awesome to some of us.
That said, during the last year, when I started to work as an independent freelance artist, I have been enjoying working and using much more with organic and abstract shapes. Nature, with its natural textures, patterns and irregular shapes has always attracted me and soothed my soul. Not everything in nature “look like something”. It is simply a shape with a purpose, interacting in unity with its surroundings. Using organic and abstract shapes and lines in my artworks also has a specific purpose. You might get another story than what I have in mind when you interpret it, in the same way as we all to an extent have our own perceptions and feelings to patterns and shapes, we observe in nature and our surroundings.
