The choice of visual elements is dependent upon the mood of an artist and can play an important role in expressing certain ideas in an artwork. The combination of linear and curved lines, mainly monochromatic red color and asymmetry of the composition are the visual elements and principles of design which allow an artist to represent the chaos and beauty of the universe in the abstract artwork Beautiful Catastrophe.
Thick horizontal, vertical and angled linear lines represent the basis of the universe which remains unchanged regardless of the catastrophe. The vertical and horizontal lines form a frame for the picture, producing an impression that the space of the artwork is limited.
It is notable that the angled lines of the same width are included into the composition to represent the inner structure of the universe. The linear lines are central to the composition of the artwork and reveal the ideas of eternal life and universal truths.
These straight lines are intersected by the curved ones which represent the chaos of the catastrophe and produce a dynamic effect. Even though the curved lines take much space of the picture and collide with the straight ones, the curved visual elements do not violate the unity of the basis of the universe represented with the straight elements.
Small dots show the results of destruction as small particles separated from the basis of the universe which can be later added to any of the elements after the destructive processes are over. Therefore, the linear lines show the beauty and eternity of the universe which remains unchanged notwithstanding the curved lines representing the chaos and dynamics.
The monochromatic red color reveals the idea that static and dynamic elements of the universe are made of the same materials and can be regarded as integral parts of the whole. Red color is used for the major elements of the picture, and only its value is changed. The symbolical meaning of red is rather controversial. Red is the hottest among all warm colors and it symbolical interpretation can vary from anger and hatred to love and happiness.
Symbolizing these seemingly conflicting emotions, red color is the most appropriate choice for revealing the inner dynamics and processes taking place on different levels of the universe. Therefore, changing the intensity of red color for different visual elements, the artist takes advantage of a wide range of its possible interpretations. The red color used for the straight lines symbolizes happiness, whereas the tints used for the curved lines are somewhat colder and represent the opposite meaning of this hue.
The asymmetry of the composition as the principle of design used by the author of Beautiful Catastrophe represents the dynamics of the catastrophe. Therefore, this artwork reveals the idea that there is nothing ideal in this world, and there is no place for symmetry in this picture.
However, even regardless of its asymmetry, the picture is amazingly beautiful. Capturing the moment of the catastrophe, the artist tries to show that even destructive processes can be worthy of admiration. Combining seemingly conflicting concepts of beauty and catastrophe in this abstract artwork, the artist reveals the philosophical questions of the beauty of life, eternity of the universe and unpredictability of its laws.
The visual elements of lines, monochromatic red color and asymmetry of the composition as the central design principle of Beautiful Catastrophe enabled the artist to reveal important philosophical questions in the abstract artwork offering a wide range of possible interpretations.