So far, we explored how the order of visual elements shapes a narrative, how simple compositions create meaningful communication, and how materiality can impact visual responses. This week, we will focus on color in the context of artistic & scientific practices.
Your work for this class will continue in two ways: weekly experiments to explore methods to create visual responses. There is no right or wrong way to conduct these experiments. Observe yourself and identify methodologies that resonate with you.
At the same time, we are running several cycles of prototyping to develop concept and strategy for your visual archive.
→ Asynchronous
Read, Watch, Write
→ Study all links in the right column to learn more about color in the context of artistic/scientific practices: de Vries, S. Finch, Cyanometer. This will take about 1h.
→ Read: Rudolf Arnheim: Art and Visual Perception—Color, pp 330-337.
→ Skim: Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours (1814).
→ OPTIONAL: If you are interested in a more general introduction to color, take a look at the tutorial “Color for Design and Art” by Jim Krause. Use your newschool account via TNS library to login.
→ Prepare
Experiment 4: Archive ⇄ Color
→ Identify a natural or cultural object, an environment, or a situation that represents your research topic or parts of it.
→ Deconstruct it and identify 12 related colors/shades. All analog and digital processes are allowed.
→ Give a name to each individual color. Everything BUT the name of the color is allowed.
→ Arrange the 12 colors and their names/caption as a “micro-archive” on a letter size canvas/document. Don’t add your name or your research topic to it.
→ Export as PDF and upload to our google drive, week 8, folder: Archive ⇄ Color.
Archive Prototype
→ Use the experience/feedback from this and last week’s class to revise your archive prototype. Pay attention to color. Develop a prototype with 5 records—each should have a caption.
“from earth: everywhere“. Herman de Vries
→ Read this interview with Herman de Vries on designboom — watch the video to learn more about the process (@min6).
Cyanometer
→ Short introduction on Colossal.
→ Learn more at the Royal Society of Chemistry.
→ New Cyanometer, 2009. Institute of General Theory
“Trying To Remember the Color of the Sky on That September Morning”. Spencer Finch
→ Article @ New York Times by Michael Kirby Smith
