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The Interaction of Color
Figure 2.11 (Albers, 1975, p. XIII-1)
The Bezold Effect
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One of the colour illusion called “optical mixture”. Instead 2 (or more) colours changing each other, “pulling” or “pushing” each other into different appearances.
Here 2 colours, perceived simultaneously, are seen combined and thus merged into 1 new colour. In this process, the 2 original colours are first annulled and made invisible, and then replaced by a substitute called optical mixture.
Bezold Effect, named after its discoverer, Wilhelm von Bezold (1837-1907). He recognized this effect when searching for a method through which he could change the colour combinations of his rug designs entirely by adding or changing one colour only. Apparently, there is so far no clear recognition of the optical perceptual conditions involved.
The Architectonic Colour:
polychrmy in the purist architecture of le corbusier
© Jan de Heer 2009
Corbusier, 1930
As part of the dilemma between the individual choice of wallpaper and the law of architecture, the Salubra collection palette are introduced. ‘The life of a painter is a permanent struggle against “the innumerable” and by consequence against the indefinite, the imperceptible; these “innumerable” are the limitless combinations that solicit his interest, it is the seduction of all possible unchecked variations (Corbusier, ‘Polychromie architecture’ p. 220). In general, one assumes that the colour palette for paintings, as established in the three gammas, was also used in architecture.
Every customer has freedom to choose the colour he or she wishes, while, on the other, the laws of architecture restrict this choice. Colour must be used with wisdom, he concluded with understanding of requirements of architecture.
Figure 2.12 The 63 architectural colours Les Couleuers. (2020) The 63 architectural colours. https://www.lescouleurs.ch/en/thecolours/63-colours/ (Accessed: 5 December 2019)
