Art Encyclopedia - Distortion

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Distortion
Distortion can be of two kinds: formal or emotional. Distortion presupposes a norm or order from which to depart and in representation it must have a recognisable reference to the norm which is distorted for example a distorted circle. A nonrepresentational or nonfigurative shape cannot be distorted because it does not depart from a recognisable norm: distortion can be used intentionally or unintentionally. It was used intentionally for expressive and emotional ends in the 20th century. Not only figures, but objects and space can be distorted.