Cross Tensions/Bridging Devices
Team E: Kristi, Sylvia, Duncan, Nick
Our subjects for this little in-class research project were Cross Tensions and Bridging Devices. The definitions for these terms were a bit difficult to nail down during our library research but, by looking at various images in books and on the internet, we were able to piece together a rough estimation of what each of them means.
Cross tensions could have multiple definitions.
- Criss-crossing or interweaving lines causing tension in an image. More specifically, a series of horizontal lines with strong, interrupting vertical lines overlapping them.
- Architectural design element using criss-crossing beams as designs
One example is as follows: (from Design Basics)
Cross tension is an element utilized in design to create, well, tension. Under normal circumstances, horizontal lines imply stability, while vertical lines imply strength. When overlapped in such a jarring fashion, or tilted to form crossing diagonal lines, tension is naturally created.
Here are some examples of Cross Tension in art/print:
On Points — Wassily Kandinsky
http://web.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/exhibition_pages/kandinsky/index.html
Circles in a Circle – Wassily Kandinsky
http://www.art.com/products/p10329573-sa-i775354/wassily-kandinsky-circles-in-circle.htm
Red In the Net — Wassily Kandinsky
ARTStor
Suprematism — Kazimir Malevich
ARTStor
Video Game Example: Donkey Kong
Nicks Cross Tension Example
Kristi Walker’s Cross Tension Example
Next up we have Bridging Devices. They can be roughly defined as:
- An element used in painting or design to bridge an idea or theme
- A horizontal element in an image that connects or bridges multiple vertical elements
- An element in architecture that bridges two disparate elements of the building/buildings
One example of architecture is this image, which uses crossing arches to bridge two different buildings: (from Design Basics)
And…more Bridging Device examples:
Red Cross on Block Circle— Kazimir Malevich
ARTStor
Suprematism No. 50 — Kazimir Malevich
ARTStor
Sylvia Yu Bridging Device Example (also has Cross Tensions going on here)
Duncan MacMichael Bridging Device Example
Video Game Bridging Device Example: World of Goo
Sources: Books
- Design Basics — by David A. Lauer/Stephen Pentak
- Design Basics — by David A. Lauer
- Making and Breaking the Grid — by Timothy Samara
- Principles of Two-Dimensional Design — by Wucius Wong
Websites
- Art.com (http://www.art.com/products/p10329573-sa-i775354/wassily-kandinsky-circles-in-circle.htm)
- ARTStor
- The Guggenheim Museum (http://web.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/exhibition_pages/kandinsky/index.html
