freedom of
sana karnawat
Contents 1.
Artist Statement
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2.
Science of Colors
5
3.
Genealogy
15
4.
My work
23
5.
Outside texts
28
Assignment
35
Intervention + DIY Toolkit
37/44
Bibliography
49
6. 7. 8.
why? what? how?
a little depth to get you going people worth knowing
insight into my understanding of colors some inspiration a creative approach
try exploring colors yourself further background
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Artist Statement Color psychology is a newly explored science that involves the “study of hues as a determinant of human
behavior.� Through Freedom of Colors, I aim to develop an understanding of colors in the readers’ minds. In March 2018, I created a syllabus for a dream class I would conduct for children within the age group of 7-9, that focuses on teaching them the meaning of colors. Taking inspiration from that topic, I decided to focus my zine entirely on the psychological significance of colors. From the research I conducted using magazines, fashion articles, reports, journals and other varied sources, I found that colors influence our moods, behavior, and even productivity. Via my research, the idea to hold a monochromatic intervention in my residence hall was born. I hope to delve into the world of colors through this zine and intervention and explore it in greater detail.
Science of Colors
5
Only in the last few decades have the human body and soul been considered together as a unit. This consideration has developed a better understanding and knowledge of modern color as it relates to the relationships between the human body and the human psyche. Colors are not just meant for objective uses by scientists and the subjectivity of artists anymore; they are much more significant in the effects they have on living things. This zine seeks to explore these different effects. Scientists have observed and noted the differences between bright, vivid colors and gentler, pale
colors. In People and Ideas: At the Mercy of Colour, Dr. Darrell B. Harmon of the University of Texas points out that most living things tend to orient themselves towards light (Birren., 1949). It is a known and well-observed fact that when one is asked to think about something with great concentration, one tends to close his or her eyes. But why does that happen instinctively? Do the colors around us influence our mental processes? Yes, I believe they do. There is a connection between brightness, color and the human organism. This connection is seen in various aspects of life. Earthworms wriggle away from light, whereas moths fly towards it. Humans and most other living things are attracted towards light. It is very difficult to avoid looking at a bright color. Certain colors are introverted
and don’t want to be that easily noticed, while some are super outgoing and lavish in their appearance. For example, paler colors like gray, brown, olive green, and light blue are subtle, but colors like bright red, yellow and orange are eye-catching. Color as an experience is a place where art and science can meet. Many artists and designers have said that they don’t use colors in their work according to scientific reasons but rather by choice. For instance, Henri Matisse once said: “My choice of colours is not based on any scientific theory. It is based on observation, on feeling, on the very nature of each experience. I simply seek to find colours that will fit my feeling.” Color affects the psychosomatic nature of the human
body. Primitive man reacted to colors rationally, but now modern man reacts to it emotionally as well. It is in our nature to make immediate associations with certain colors. For example: red signals danger, white shows stability and peace, and yellow signifies youthfulness and joy. Color is a powerful language that can communicate a lot through its visual appearance. Culture also plays an important role in color psychology. Our cultural backgrounds influence our choices and tastes in many parts of our lives. WGSN’s Color team (Boddy., 2017) did some research to identify what shades and hues of a color were preferred by particular cultures, using the Coloro system: a system that takes the dynamics of color science and applies
it as a working tool, allowing us to deal with color in hue, chroma and lightness (Boddy., 2017). It replicates colors as they are visible to the human eye and it has even helped in discovering that humans can interpret more warm colors than cool colors (Boddy., 2017). For example, they found that a burgundy tone with medium lightness and low saturation (chroma) appealed to Indian culture. It is possible that India’s close association with red in most religions, influenced this. They also found out that China and South Korea favored a petal-pink tone with high lightness and medium saturation (Boddy., 2017). There is more to find out about culture and colors, just a few pages ahead! According to Birren (1949), human beings with
vivid spirits should accessorize themselves with vivid colors to match their spirits. Contradicting your color choice with your personality can lead to unfavorable moods. Therefore, children in kindergarten are happier and better mannered in rooms with bright, clear colors (Birren., 1949). This topic comes up in the world of fashion too. People with sober and quiet personalities tend to stick to neutral colors. This holds true for the consumers as well as the designers. Brubach (1979) reviews in a Vogue article that Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Perry Ellis, for example, have always worked within a neutral range. Others like Kenzo and Stephen Burrows have stuck to strong colors and brights (Brubach., 1979). Designers speak their minds through their designs.
Color is a such a significant and beautiful part of life. Can you imagine a world without color - a black and white world? Many psychologists, scientists and artists have experimented with a variety of colors to explore the concept of color psychology. For instance, in 2016 British artist Liz West created Our Color, an installation that transformed a space into a rainbow of colour using light as a sculptural tool to explore human visual perception and examine the emotional, physical and psychological impacts of color (Boddy., 2017).
West, L. (2016). Our Colour. http://www.liz-west.com/installation/#/our-colour/. This image shows 10,000 sq. ft.
Color as a Language
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Color is not just about aesthetics and beautifying something – it also communicates specific information. Color meanings are derived from two basic sources – learned associations and biological proclivities. To date, most of the work done in the field of psychology has been practical-based to answer questions like: What colors influence retail behavior? What colors influence physical and mental health? What colors influence worker mood and productivity? However, there has been quite some development in the theoretical aspect of research as well. Much of it has been guided by Kurt Goldstein’s (1942) proposal that colors like red
and yellow influence people to produce forceful, expansive behavior, whereas green and blue are quieting and calming, producing reserved, stable behavior.
Humes, L. (2016, October 31). Understanding Color Psychology, White Oak Creative, Blog. https://www.lindsayhumes.com/brand-color-palette/.
Genealogy
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1. Kurt Goldstein The most cited work in relation to how color affects behavior is that of Dr. Kurt Goldstein (1942). He postulated a theory of color drawn from his observations of experiments that he conducted on patients with impaired central nervous systems. The chosen patients had damaged or abnormal motor function such as unstable gait and trembling, and distortions in estimates of time, size and weight (Wise,. 1988). These experiments were conducted on three to five patients, using colored paper, colored rooms, colored lights or colored
clothing as color stimuli. His observations’ numerical results or statistics were never presented. What he observed was that in the presence of green, the impairments or abnormal behaviors were less deviant, while in the presence of red these behaviors were exaggerated. From his work with these special patients, Goldstein proposed a theory which he believed to be applicable to all individuals. He stated red to have “expansive” effects on the senses and of being capable of inducing excitement or aggression in certain behaviors. On the other hand, green had a contractive nature and encouraged tranquility. Based on these observations, he believed that one’s performance on certain motor tasks could be either deterred or facilitated in the presence of red or green respectively.
2. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe One of the earliest formal explorations of color theory came from an unexpected source: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German poet, artist and politician. He published a book called the Theory of Colours in 1810, as his take on the nature, function and psychology of colors (Popova., 2012). His work was dismissed by most of the scientific community, but still remained of great interest to quite a few prominent philosophers and physicists like Arthur Schopenhauer, Kurt Gödel, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Goethe believed that “colour itself is a degree of darkness.” He was of the opinion that darkness is not the mere absence of light but an essential ingredient in itself. His most fascinating theo-
ries discuss the psychological impact of different colors on mood and emotion – ideas derived by the poet’s intuition, which are part entertaining accounts bordering on superstition, part discerning insights justified by science roughly two centuries after, and part purely delightful manifestations of the beauty of language. He explained yellow as the color closest to light, blue as a color bringing a principle of darkness with it, and red as part actu (actual) and part potentia (power) thus including all other colors in it (Popova., 2012).
Color wheel designed by Goethe in 1809
3. Dr. Max Lüscher Max Lüscher was born in the Swiss university town of Basel. In 1944 he was awarded his “Matura,” a diploma which was equivalent to graduating high school. Then he went on to study at university level and took up psychiatry. He earned a doctorate in the fields of philosophy, psychology and the philosophy of law. His dissertation on “Color as a diagnostic tool in psychology” was rewarded summa cum laude (with the highest distinction) by the professors of psychiatry, philosophy, and psychology. He then began his career in psychotherapy in Basel and later, Berlin. Dr. Lüscher went on to become the head of the Institute for Medical Psychodiagnostics. He kept contributing to and work-
ing on Lüscher-Color-Diagnostics, by even conducting training seminars for physicians and guest lectures. The Lüscher-Color-Diagnostics are now taught in seven different languages and are used in universities throughout the world. More on the test, coming up ahead! 4. Liz West Liz West is a contemporary British artist who works with light installations, sculpture, and other forms of public art to explore how sensory phenomena can invoke psychological and physical responses toward colors. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Sculpture and Environmental Art from the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. She creates vivid environments in physical
and architectural spaces to play with color and light. Taking advantage of the fact that our understanding of color only happens in the presence of light, she mixes rich colors with bright lights. As mentioned earlier, she created Our Colour in 2016 as a public exhibition that people were allowed to pass through and admire.
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my work
bride always wears a white gown
Christian
white wedding
funerals are attended in black clothing
Hindu
black is believed to cause bad luck if worn by a woman at any religious function
bride generally wears something from the red family
white is a requirement to attend a funeral in India
who is it going to be? BOY or GIRL
ALOOF
balance
intelligence
intimacy
fun
what color are you? power
peace according to the Hartman Personality Test
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Outside Texts This is an excerpt from the book Color, edited
by David Batchelor who has written several books on the topics of color and art. Subsequent to this excerpt, he explains the reasons behind choosing this particular composition as the introduction. He collected several texts for this volume and realized that over the last century and a half, the discussion on color has been based on reflections, observations, asides and remarks (Batchelor., 2008). It has too many takes, in the voices of artists, critics, art historians, philosophers, scientists, anthropologists, psychologists, novelists, filmmakers, architects, designers, musicians and poets.
I chose to include this excerpt in my zine because of its diversity. It brings together simple sentences said by various personalities, to form a complex, rich and powerful view on the topic of color. I think it adds several perspectives to the way one thinks in regard to color. This collection of quotes contributes to my zine in a simplistic yet holistic manner. Colour ‘Introduction: On Colour and Colours’ David Batchelor
Colour is single ... (Walter Benjamin) Colour is the shattering of unity (Julia Kristeva) Colour exists in itself (Henri Matisse) Colour cannot stand alone (Wassily Kandinsky)
Colour ... is new each time (Roland Barthes) Colour is the experience of a ratio (William H. Gass) Colour is a poor imitator (Bernard Berenson) Colour deceives continuously (Josef Albers) Colour is an illusion, but not an unfounded illusion (C.L. Hardin) Colour is like a closing eyelid, a tiny fainting spell (Roland Barthes)
Colour must be seen (Walter Benjamin) Colour ... is the peculiar characteristic of the lower forms of nature (Charles Blanc) Colour ... even more than drawing, is a means of liberation (Henri Matisse) Colour must be thought, imagined, dreamed ... (Gustave Moreau) Colour precedes words and antedates civilization ... (Leonard Shalin)
Colour is knowledge (Donald Judd)
Batchelor, D. (2008). Colour: Introduction: On Colour and Colours, 14-21. Whitechapel: London / MIT Press: Boston. Retrieved from http://www.davidbatchelor. co.uk/books/colour/
In his review of the journal Luscher Color Test by Ian Scott, John Conner praises and explains the use of the color test designed by Dr. Max Lüscher. His review doesn’t seem biased or opinionated in any form. I decided to include this portion of his review, because it provides a supplement to the earlier short description of Dr. Lüscher’s life. It also gives an insight into the process of taking and interpreting the Color Test. “For approximately twenty years Dr. Max Lüscher’s color test has been used as a basic
instrument for psychological studies. In this authorized, simplified version of the test, a testee arranges eight color cards in the order of personal preference. On the basis of his choices a testee can interpret his own personality by reading the appropriate accompanying sections in the text. Taking the test requires approximately five minutes. Reading and studying the complete interpretation can take several hours. But a quick interpretation can be gained in perhaps thirty minutes. By this time a reader has probably become so hooked on the text that he will pursue a more complete answer. The test instrument is so well packaged that it should attract many readers. The inherent danger, of course, is that
the instrument will be used as a sort of parlor game. However, a real understanding of the test results takes enough time that I doubt that a casual observer would remain interested. Every adolescent would like to know himself better. The L端scher Color Test gives him that opportunity. I do not know how medical authorities react to the L端scher Color Test. Scott indicates in the text that L端scher continues to study the test and its results. A formidable bibliography of articles about the test, mostly in German, accompanies the text. I do know that the test is fun to take and fascinating to interpret. On this basis I believe many adolescents (and adults) will want to try it. If L端scher is right, our color
choices are dependable guides to our feelings.”
Conner, J. (1972). The English Journal, 61(2), 302-303. doi:10.2307/813494
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assignment
assignment: coloring to music song: OTW by Khalid, 6LACK & Ty Dolla $ign
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INTERVENTION
Taking inspiration from CJ Hendry’s recent ex-
hibit: Monochrome, in which she built seven rooms of a house and dedicated each one to a specific color, I designed a color-based intervention in my dorm hallway. My zine’s topic is “Color Psychology” and keeping that in mind, I thought of doing this intervention. I chose my hallway as the location because of the blank space available and the fact that it is frequented throughout the day by the people who live on this floor. I covered two walls on either side with colored paper and used reusable streamers of the same color to partition the colored area from the rest of the hallway. This created a colored room-like section that people would have to pass through in order to exit the floor. To make it even more effective, I covered the lamps with colored
translucent paper. This way the hallway was bathed in the color. Also, to ensure sustainability I made sure to recycle the paper and even used reusable colored table cloth instead of paper, for some parts. The colors I chose are the three primary colors: yellow, blue and red.
This intervention was held over the course of
three days, with one day for each color. With a section of the hallway completely decorated in one particular color, it is bound to have psychological effects on the people passing through it. My intention was to understand what people feel toward colors and how they react because of them. In order to do so, I came up with a list of questions to ask them after the intervention had taken place.
My List of Questions 1. Did the colors have any effect(s) on you? 2. Which color made you feel the most energetic? 3. Which color ruined your mood? 4. Which color did you feel most connected to? 5. Would you like the concept of colored walls in our hallways/classrooms over plain white walls? 6. What do you usually associate the three colors with? o
Yellow -
o
Blue -
o
Red -
7. Describe how you felt in the colored hallways in one word for each – o
Yellow –
o
Blue –
o
Red –
My roommate Prerna Sharma’s Response 1. Did the colors have any effect(s) on you? - Yes 2. Which color made you feel most energetic? Yellow 3. Which color ruined your mood? - Red 4. Which color did you feel most connected to? – Yellow 5. Would you like the concept of colored walls in our hallways/classrooms over plain white walls? – No
6. What do you usually associate the three colors with? o
Yellow – sunshine
o
Blue - water
o
Red – anger
7. Describe how you felt in the colored hallways in one word for each – o
Yellow – happy
o
Blue – calm
o
Red – suffocated
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DIY Toolkit
Step 1: Choose an area that can be altered temporarily by adding color to it, and that is frequented by people. Step 2: Decide on a method for adding the colors (paint, paper, streamers, etc.). Step 3: Try and keep it as sustainable as possible by minimizing the use of paper. You can replace paper with paint (if allowed), colored lights, different reusable objects of the same color, etc. Step 4: Feel free to add interesting design elements like metallic decorations, string lights, etc. as long as they are of the same color. Step 5: Choose the number of colors (at least 3) and the colors you want to use. Each color must be put on for at least 24 hours, so choose wisely (if you have the time, go ahead and do as many colors as you want!).
Step 6: Put up each color, day after day. Make sure you document every part of the process Step 7: Come up with a list of questions that you want to ask the people who passed through your intervention. Step 8: Select a suitable medium for asking them these questions. Ex: written survey, online survey, video interviews, etc. Step 9: Find out the different psychological effects of colors on people!
yellow room “yellow makes me feel warm” “I’m able to concentrate here”
blue room “blue is so calming” “It makes me lonely; I want to run away”
red room “this is giving me a lot of energy” “I think it’s making me quite angry, take it down”
Bibliography
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(n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2018, from https://www.luscher-color.ch/base. asp?p=GeschichteBio.html&s=e&m=m_theorie.asp This website is entirely focused on Dr. Max Lüscher and his works and accomplishments. It also possesses a concise biography of the late doctor. His biggest credential: the invention of the Lüscher Color Test, is explained in brief as well. About. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2018, from http://www.liz-west.com/about/
British artist Liz West’s website gives a great view into her work and contribution to the art world. It also includes a brief yet vivid description of her style and history.
Batchelor, D. (2008). Colour: Introduction: On Colour and Colours, 1421. Whitechapel: London / MIT Press: Boston. Retrieved from http://www.davidbatchelor.co.uk/books/colour/ This is an excerpt from the book Color, edited by David Batchelor who has written several books on the topics of color and art. The introduction is a compilation of several quotes and takes on the meaning of color, by different people. Birren, F. (1949, Apr 15). People and Ideas: At the Mercy of Colour. Vogue, 113, 51-51, 109. Retrieved from https://login.libproxy. newschool.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy. newschool.edu/docview/904324497?accountid=12261
This is another Vogue article on the topic of color. However, this one dives deeper into the scientific side of color psychology. It helps in understanding the psychosomatic relation of humans and other living things with colors. Boddy, J. (2017, June 7). Colour Intelligence, WGSN, Retrieved from https://www.wgsn.com/content/board_viewer/#/73526/page/2. As a report conducted by the WGSN team, this source explains the concept and use of color psychology in the field of design. It is a concise and comprehensive description of the meaning of colors, and of sciences like Chroma therapy. Brubach, H. (1979, March 1). Fashion: The Color Takeover/In Fashion: The Challenge of Color. Vogue, 169, 240-240, 306, 307. Retrieved from https://login.libproxy.newschool.edu/login?url=https://searchproquest-com.libproxy.newschool.edu/docview/879272649?accountid=12261 This article from Vogue discusses various fashion designers and their use of colors. It is a useful source to understand the different notions behind using certain color schemes in fashion. Conner, J. (1972). The English Journal, 61(2), 302-303. doi:10.2307/813494 John Conner, in his review of a journal article titled the Luscher Color Test by Ian Scott, talks about the Color test and its significance in a clear and comprehensive manner. Elliot, A., & Maier, M. (2007). Color and Psychological Functioning. Cur-
rent Directions in Psychological Science, 16(5), 250-254. Retrieved from ble/20183210
http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.newschool.edu/sta-
From the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science, this particular article on color and its psychological effects focuses greatly on the absence and requirement of theoretical research on this topic. Elliot and Maier created a model of color and psychological functioning and derived a hypothesis from the model. They focused primarily on the influence of red in achievement contexts. Popova, M. (2012, August 17). 19th-Century Insight into the Psychology of Color and Emotion.Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/19th-century-insight-into-the-psychology-of-color-and-emotion/261261/ This article on color psychology belongs to the well-reputed magazine: Atlantic. It gives the readers an insight into the contributions by German artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to the topics of psychology of colors and their relation to our emotions. Wise, K., & Wise, A. (1988). Physiological Responses to Color. Human Factors of Color in Environmental Design: A Critical Review, 6-7. Retrieved from https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa. gov/19890006161.pdf In this report conducted by the Department of Psychology of the University of Washington in Seattle, there is a chapter dedicated to the physiological responses to color. This report was
sponsored by NASA, which proves its authority and credibility. This particular chapter includes a vivid description of the role played by Dr. Goldstein in the field of color psychology.
LIVE COLORFULLY
“Mere color can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” Oscar Wilde