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Rhythm is a word we are familiar with when we think of subjects such as music and dance. You might think of it as the drum beat to a song, the clapping of hands or even the tapping noise created by dancers on the floor. Words such as beat, tempo or pulsing may come to mind. These are examples of rhythms we hear. Now think of what rhythm means to a visual artist. Rhythm is one of the Principles of Design. To an artist, rhythm shows movement through the artists' repetition of certain Elements Of Art. Just as in music when a beat is repeated over and over, an artist will use an Element of Art such as Color and repeat it over and over in a work of art. Let's look at an example.

Brittney, 8th grade, Fish tessellation, Cut paper
and markers, 9 x 9"		 Here is an example of a cut paper tessellation design. What is used to create the appearance of Rhythm in this work?

Possible answers could be:
a) the fish design is repeated over and over.
b) the colors white and orange appear as a pattern.

Do you see anything else that is repeated in this artwork? How about the lines that form the scales of the fish. Or the black triangles that decorate the backbone of the fish.

 
Movement is another very important Principle of Design. Perhaps you are thinking that artworks as a rule do not actually move. You are correct, but we are talking about visual movement. Artists know that if certain Elements Of Art are used to create a Rhythm, there will be visual movement. The viewer's eye is drawn from one object to the next as they appear over and over in a piece of work. Let's take a look at an example.
 
Vincent Van Gogh, (Dutch) 1853-1890, Starry Night, 1889, Oil on Canvas
Museum of Mopdern Art, NY
In Starry Night, famed artist Vincent Van Gogh creates Movement in his sky. How does he show us this?
Possible answers could be:
a) the swirling motion of the colors in the sky showing the artist's interpretation of wind
b) the repetition of the brushstrokes and paint dabs

Can you find anything else that appears to give this painting a sense of Movement?Look at the stars. They are all yellow and round, vary in size and placement, and they have "halos" of light encircling them. Look at the painting and concentrate on how your eyes bounce from one star to another. This is an example of how an artist can create Movement in a work of art.


Bernini (Italian) 1598-1680, Apollo and Daphne,
1622-1625, Marble, 253 cm., Bourgeois Museum, Rome		 Look at this marble statue. Often mythological themes inspired many artists of the time period. How has Bernini created a sense of Movement to a marble statue?

Apollo's drapery and Daphne's hair were carved as if the wind was blowing through them. It seems Bernini was able to "freeze frame" a split second of their chase through the forest.

Notice also that the figures are in action poses. Daphne's arm is reaching up and around her body. Look how her arm and Apollo's right arm create an upward sweep. Apollo's left leg is lifted off the ground. These are all considerations Bernini thought of before he began to carve.

Carving from a solid piece of material is called subtractive sculpture. The artist starts from a single block of material and begins to remove sections until the final sculpture magically reveals itself.


M. C. Escher (Dutch) 1898-1972 , Smaller and Smaller, 1956, wood engraving and woodcut

Probably, one of the most interesting artists of all times was M.C. Escher. Escher created this magnificent wood cuts of intricate mathematical compositions. His works are incredible art works as well as examples of tessellations and fractals. He was a master of creating the impossible.

This is one artist you should learn more about! See the official M.C. Escher site.

How does Escher create Rhythm in this piece? Repetition of the lizard shape and the colors are one way.

How does he create movement? Look at the arching curves of the spines of the lizards. Notice how the smaller concentric circles draw your eye down into the center.



(Australian) Pantoom,1996, Acrylic on paper

Look at this detail. Notice the rhythm created by the repetition of the dots and the colors.

This rhythm creates Movement. How does it do that? Notice how each dot resembles a stepping stone on a path. That path leads the eye around the paper. 		This unusual work of art was created in Australia by the indigenous people of that country now called the Aboriginals. These mystical designs are based on ancient symbols and designs.

The paint is applied with the fingers in a point by point method.

Notice how the repeated patterns and rows of dots give the illusion that the surface of the paper is moving. Traditionally the Aborigines used colors made from organic materials. Modern Aboriginal artists often use brighter colors and modern paints. This does not take away from the ancient traditions these young artists are trying to preserve.
 

Op Art (Studio Activity)
Aboriginal Rhythms (Computer Activity)