Presence & Absence

Presence refers to the physical existence of anything in a space. Absence is the antithesis of presence in that it refers to the lack of existence of an element. The presence of a structure is immediately placed in juxtaposition with the space surrounding it and the absence of other elements. Design and art explore and manipulate this dichotomy through conscious choices of inclusion and exclusion of elements, and through emphasizing existing elements or the lack there of.




















Here the presence of the red tape fills the void that existed between the bamboo to create a composition.

















Here the dominating presence of the spider is effective because of the large space or absence below it.