Datuk Muhammad Yaman Haji Ahmad Mus, 6 Corners Illusion, 1998,
Acrylic on Canvas, 106.3 x 121.5 cm, National Art Gallery
Figure 1: Photograph of 3 optical illusion artworks which are Dimensional Illusion (Left), 6 Corners Illusion (Center), and Dimensional Illusion (Right).
The 3 optical illusion artworks by Datuk Muhammad Yaman Haji Ahmad Mus are hung together on the same side of the white wall so they can be categorized by the visitors that these artworks are painted with the same art style, optical illusion. The artwork is highlighted with a well-lit show of light in gallery spaces which enhances the quality of the visual experience. The 6 Corners Illusion is particularly strong piece among the same style artworks on the wall which the visitors will see it first upon entering the space. The distance between 6 Corners Illusion and the 2 adjacent artworks is approximately 70 - 80cm. The artwork is hung well to let the visitors see it as enjoyable as closer to eye level. The distance between each artwork is measured well to create a sense of space, centering, distance and height. The title card of artwork is displayed well on the right side and clearly mentioned the information of the artist and credit line of artwork to enhance the visual flow of an art gallery.
The first thing I notice in this artwork is the hexagon shape of canvas which create a symmetrical effect. The artwork contains 100% of straight lines which include horizontal lines and diagonal lines. The synthetical of diagonal lines suggest movement which emotionally active, aesthetically dynamic and completely catch the attention, while the horizontal lines are combined with diagonal lines to create rhombus shapes. In this 2D geometrical artwork, a synthesis of rhombus shapes pattern and a hexagram can be seen in well arrangement in hexagon shape of canvas which combines the clear composition of geometric abstraction and gives the sense of hardness, strength and immobility.
The positive and negative areas can be differentiated by the monochromatic of red colour and analogous colours (Red, scarlet red, scarlet, crimson, magenta, purple magenta, and purple). The value found in the artwork is tints (light values) and shades (dark values) of red colour which are warm colours. The space in this artwork is one-point perspective drawing which maintaining the illusion of space and converging towards a single vanishing point located at the center of artwork. The texture in this artwork is invented texture which creates 2D patterns and repetition of lines and rhombus shapes. The medium used in this artwork is acrylic.
Datuk Muhammad Yaman Haji Ahmad Mus painted this artwork by using accurate measurement, one-point perspective, geometric shapes, and colours which allowed us to see the abstraction of geometry. He had used the rhombus shapes and combined them together to form abstract pattern in the hexagon shape canvas. I personally think that he was trying to convey the beauty of geometric shapes through this artwork as he applied “A Shape within A Shape” method and used geometric rhombus pattern and hexagon canvas to create a cohesive, geometric and systematic art. The combination of rhombus pattern and hexagon shape creates vibrant and contemporary and depicts stability, equality and uniformity.
The colours used for this artwork are analogous colours and monochromatic colours which suggest the positive and negative spaces in this artwork. These colours allow us to imagine the movement of the patterns from the center to the edge of the hexagon shape canvas. The effect of pattern movements created by the treatment of diagonal lines, shapes, gradation of value and colours used.
I think that he was trying to fill up the spaces of canvas to create tension by dividing into interesting shapes (rhombuses and hexagram) and creating a dynamism through variation. The unity was applied by the artist to create a sense of harmony and wholeness by using equal size of rhombuses and placing them into a hexagram which achieved the proximity and similarity within the composition.
In this artwork, there is a close continuous dynamic interaction between the geometrical shapes we see and what changes constantly and imprinted as image in our mind. I think that the main functions of optical illusion not only to stimulate creativity of using geometric shapes, but also to construct individual imagines of reality. We discern and fully understand the beautiful geometric artwork through our brain although we only see through our eyes.
I enjoyed the experience of visiting KL Biennale International Art Exhibition not only because it is free admission for every visitors, but also because the organization had organized “Belas” as the theme of exhibition and categorized the artworks into 5 categories which are Be Love Nature, Be Loved Animal, Be Loved Humanity, Be Loved Heritage, and Be Love Spirituality which let me have a deep understanding on the plethora of social issues related to human reactions to and interactions with nature through the exhibited masterpieces by artists from different Asian countries.
Art provides creative inspirations for everyone and boosts the personal creativity and the emotional intelligence of people who experience it. This exhibition had become the source of inspiration for my visual imagination as those masterpieces helps me to make mental connections between space and material objects. When I saw the masterpieces, the visual imagination happened and I started to think about what I am looking at and what is so special for me to look at in each of the masterpieces.
This art exhibition had also exercised my ability to create meaning. Although I was thinking most of the art does not make much sense when I saw some of the masterpieces, but I had changed my thought on the interpretation of art after visited the art exhibition. I had learned about how to interpret art and create meaning on each masterpiece with my curiosity by looking at the details of the artwork, understanding the techniques used, and asking “why” questions on each detail of the artwork. All of these things helped me to build a strong sense of historical and personal identity.
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