CONQUERING SPACE IN INTERVALS

Very simply, integral is space between one object or shape and another. Background areas surround the shapes, help to define them and integrate them like an invisible container.

However, "integral" can be a design element which is in itself a dominant aspect of the composition and gives it emphasis. That is the manner used here. It all begins with very simple shapes, and even in their "split up" explosive placement their original identity is easily seen. Let's look at a few examples before we expand the principle.

A square with its vibrant interval spaces.

Simulated cutting plan for the left square.

Now, mentally push all the pieces back together, and you'll have an elipse. Gary conceived his interval design to be an eye.

Face? Lips? Sun? Coffee cup? Could be-- but it's really a nicely subdivided circle.

And last are these cascading shapes with great movement cut from a rectangle.

Well, that's the jist of interval--creating spaces which relate to the cut shapes, interact with them and are an important visual entity as well. But that's just the beginning. Practicing with simple geomtric shapes is an excellent way to learn to subdivide form into many new and very interesting contours by directly cutting with scissors or stencil knife. The more the merrier. Rearrangements are the end goal, and although these examples are pretty much organized in the order they were cut, original re-organization is more exciting--as the circle example shows.