The Book

Why does a vertical form have such a strong presence? How do height, proportion and the spaces between forms influence our experience of art and architecture?

The Language of Verticality explores these questions through the upright body, gravity, perception and the places we inhabit. From a single vertical line to repeated forms and colored surfaces, the book examines how verticality directs our attention, creates visual tension and shapes our sense of space.

Drawing on examples from art and architecture, Leon Vitale connects these observations with his own artistic practice, in which separate vertical elements, the spaces between them and the surrounding architecture become parts of one composition.

Written in clear, accessible language, the book invites readers to notice how the vertical influences what we see, feel and create.