Art Encyclopedia - Positive Form

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Positive Form
Positive form in art relates to the solid pieces of material that displace or inhabit space, in contrast to negative form, which is concerned with empty space. Positive form articulates negative form, and vice versa. Also called solid, in contrast to void. The relationship between positive and negative form in sculpture is analogous to that between real shapes and background in the two-dimensional arts. Positive shape is the actual object, subject or form as represented on the two-dimensional surface.