Rytmens estetik

Licentiate thesis, 2002

Abstract The Aesthetics of Rhythm Lena Hopsch Chalmers University, Architecture Rhythm as a significant factor in music and poetry is relatively well scientifically documented. In sculpture and architecture, however, rhythm is a fairly unexplored area, perhaps due to the complex character of the subject and, moreover, in visual art knowledge of the significance of rhythm is mainly acquired by studying individual artists and architects. In view of this background my thesis "The Aesthetics of Rhythm" developed, a study of the visually and bodily experienced rhythm. To be able to form, but also to be able to discuss the creation in a clear and distinct way are important components in an artistic theory formation. They are the basis of one’s own artistic language. One purpose of my work has been to study the design process where the course to the form rather than the form itself is the essential part. In the thesis basic rhythm conceptions such as stress, pausing, contrast and repetition are studied. I have found that these conceptions which are based on the poetics and rhetoric of classical antiquity are good tools also when comes to discussing and analysing rhythm in architecture and sculpture. They are distinct and effective and in my study I have illustrated each of them separately in order to show their distinctive quality, but I have also demonstrated how they co-operate in a flow and thus create rhythm. In the laboratory work which, in my capacity as a sculptor, I have done with a tight-rope-walker and a choreographer the step, the contact of the foot with the floor and the movement of the body in the room have been an important starting-point. Key words: visual rhythm, artistic theory formation, creation, laboratory work, rhythm analysis, stress, pausing, contrast, repetition. ISSN-1650-6340-2002:8