A term that we often hear with regards to the visual medium is “composition”. What is composition? Composition is that in which all the visual elements are arranged within an artwork. They can be infinitely varied, but it is possible to make some generalisations.

An important requisite of a good composition is Balance.

Visually imbalanced work makes us feel out of sorts whereas a balanced one will make us feel orderly and composed. Along with this, another important aspect is Unity, which is what all artists strive to achieve in their artwork. The basic human need for a sense of completeness, order, and a feeling of things finished properly form the basis for the use of unity and balance, a prerequisite for good compositions.

A perfect and harmonious balance, which is seen in Greek architecture and Indian art and sculpture, is called Classical Balance. The greatest example of this is the Greek temple of Parthenon on the hill called Acropolis in Athens. The geometric units, the horizontals and verticals are so beautifully balanced that no single form over powers another.

Dynamic Balance is quite the opposite of classical balance.

Here the elements are visually conflicting and many of the artworks depicting emotional, violent, disturbing subjects usually have these dynamic compositions.

The interplay of contrasting features of small and large elements brought together into a harmonious unified whole, it is called Relational Composition. And in art works where it is composed of a single visual element is called Non-relational Composition. The great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is an ideal representation of the balanced non-relational composition.

Then we have what is called All Over Composition, which is seen in abstract art. A network of lines, colours, merging form and space distributing the visual interest of the painting spread over the space within a frame is all over composition which can be seen in the abstract paintings of Jackson Pollock. Finally, we have the latest form of art is Instillation Art, wherein the whole environment is also incorporated into the composition to become a part of the work of art.

Composition extends beyond the realm of just visual arts. An arrangement of musical notes in harmonious, rhythmic meter is called Composition. Equally worthy is a play of words by a writer, the choice of elements to be picturised within a frame of a film or an aesthetic arrangement of fruits and flowers by a vendor is also composition.

Finally, even when we see a man who is in complete control of his emotions, totally unruffled by the events happening around him, we call him a calm, composed man.