What are the visual elements that all artists use?

What is the main element that sets western art criticism apart apart from that of the rest of the world

Culinary arts- a serving of seafood appetizers is arranged on a bed of ice. dipping sauces are in the center with a tiny spoon for dishing them out. what technique did the chef apply to make the arrangements? the chef applied the technique to make the arrangements

Which has a heavier visual weight, an object with a simple contour or one with a complicated contour?