sign in sign up
<<
Home , Color in Chinese culture

The Histories of Colour in Relation to Spatial Practice:

Antonia, Debbie, Georgia, Jenna, Joyce and Jordana Discovery of the Colour Blue

Blue is considered to be the first synthetically produced pigment. “Egyptian Blue” was created around 2200 BC. Egyptians were the only culture that could produce blue dyes at the time. The Egyptians originally used a mixture of ground limestone with sand and which contained minerals azurite and malachite. This mixture was then heated.. The result of this was an opaque glass which could be crushed and then combined with other materials such as egg or glues and made into a paint or ceramic glaze.

Blue is now produced through a chemical process to create different saturations and .

Different have been discovered or popular throughout history... Egyptian Blue - 2200 BC Ultramarine or “True Blue” - 6th Century - popular in 17th & 18th Century - created between 1704 - 1707 International Klein Blue or IKB - created 1960 YInMn - released for commercial use 2016 Azurite Blue and Malachite Colour Theory of Blue

The colour blue is one of the three primary colours which means that it cannot be created by the combination of other colours. All secondary colours are then derived from these three primary colours.

Complementary colour: Secondary colours: Green & Analogous colours: Blue-Green & Blue- Tints, Tones and Shades

Resene uses a lot of natural names and inspirations such as ‘duck egg’ and ‘blue moon’. As a NZ brand, a lot of paints are named after place names in New Zealand. Their brand is leaning towards very natural names to attract people.

In homes, blue is a popular colour for bedrooms, as blue is complementary to the sunlight, and pale tones can “open-up” the space. The colour may initially seem like a “cold” choice for a room colour, but it can actually be welcoming and soothing, in soft eggshell shades or even dark inky tones.

Pros: Blue represents intelligence. Strong hues = clear thought, while lighter hues = mental focus. It improves productivity, which could be a potential colour choice for a study. Blue is often used in bathrooms, as it exudes cleanliness and hygiene.

Cons: Blue can exude coldness & aloofness. It would be tricker to use blue in kitchens, as it is an unnatural colour for food, leading to our instinct to avoid blue foods (it may even be an appetite suppressant). Complementary Colours and its Relation to Architecture and Art

Complementary colours appear opposite to each other on the colour wheel. They can also be obtained by combining the other two primary colours together, such as blue’s complementary colour is + = Orange.

The use of complementary colours became an important aspect in the creation of Impressionism, post-impressionism, and furthermore modern paintings. This lead to the discovery of shadows not being neutral but instead the complementary colour of the that throws them. For example orange sunlight will throw a blue shadow.

When tinting and toning a space complementary colours can be used for graying. This will create a contrast through a change in value ( and darkness) or intensity (brightness and dullness ). Doing this can create a more lively and pleasing atmosphere that is not overwhelming. Contrasting colours can give spaces its own personality for example blue and orange often conveys the idea of impulsivity and trust, which is why it has been adopted by banking agencies and offices. Symbolism and Culture of Blue

- Aboriginal Art - Related to dreaming and spirits - Considered to be beneficial to the mind and body. Thought to slow down the metabolism and create a calming effect. - Light blue: health, healing and tranquility - Dark blue: powerful, serious and melancholic - Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Albania Charmaine Pwerle – Awelye – Body Paint - Believe blue wards off the Evil eye - Evil eye is a curse thought to cause misfortune or harm - North America and Europe - Blue represents trust, security and authority. Considered to be soothing and peaceful - However can also represent depression, loneliness and sadness “The ” - Eastern Cultures - Symbolises immortality - Ukraine - Good health - Hinduism - Strongly associated with Krishna who embodies love and divine joy. - China Blue and China - During the Tang dynasty (618-907), the colour blue became significant especially in Chinese ceramics - The specific colour of blue and porcelain (cobalt) were specially imported from Persia - Signified royalty and used on special occasions Use of Blue in: Art

- Picasso entered his ‘Blue Period’ following the death of his friend. The main theme denoted in his paintings were human suffering and isolation. His main subjects were beggars, drunks and prostitutes.

- Hokusai focused on composition and colour; the great wave dominates Mount Fuji despite it being Japan’s highest mountain, it The Great Wave off Kanagawa by appears insignificant. The waves represent Japan’s historical events Hokusai (1830) and Fuji is a symbol of worship and eternity in Japan. Femme aux Bras Croisés by Pablo Picasso (1902) - Hockney incorporated his observations of how light and colour change during day and night. This links to John Tyndall’s discovery of the sky being coloured blue, as sunlight reaches Earth's atmosphere it interferes with particles in the air. This resulting in the scattering of blue light in all directions, blue is scattered more than other as it has shorter, smaller wavelengths and so we see the sky as blue.

- Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ encapsulates the view from his window while he stayed at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in France. The contrast of the blue, yellow and white is dynamic, it provides a sense of melancholy, hope and despair. A mixture of Van Gogh’s emotions, Sprungbrett Mit Schatten by David feelings and memories. Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh Hockney (1978) (1889) Use of Blue in: Film & Media

In film, blue is commonly used in the sci-fi films. Using blue is common in sci-fi, as it is a colour that is rare in nature, therefore, it’s unnatural and mystical. Therefore it is often used in films involving technology. Other uses of blue are present in films involving beaches, oceans and skies. This often represent tranquility, calm and peacefulness. Directors often use dark blue filters to portray nighttime, without having to compromise lighting.

Films & media that often use blue: ● Tron (1982) & Tron: Legacy (2010) ● Bladerunner (1982) & Bladerunner 2049 (2017) ● The Truman Show (1998) ● Star Wars (1977-2019) ● Harry Potter (2001-2011) ● Avatar (2009) ● Stranger Things (2016-) Use of Blue in: Interior & Exterior

Color is an integral element in architecture; it is not only important aesthetically, but it also has a great psycho-sensory importance. Using blue in design gives the effect of relaxation, and retiring (withdrawing). It can either make you feel calm, comfortable, noble, or it could feel depressing, cold, or melancholic. Depending on the tones, the use of blue in design can give different moods.

Interior Spaces: Ceilings: celestial & receding (light), heavy & oppressive with (dark), Lower sense of space Walls: cool & distant (light), encouraging and space deepening with (dark), if only applied to a central wall of space this will give the feeling of a “spatial shortening”, otherwise applied to all walls, the perception of a space will lengthen. Floor: inspiring and illusion of effortless movement (light), heavy/weighted (dark)

Exterior Spaces (Painting a Home blue): Light Blue: dreamy, relaxing, bright Medium/Bright Blue: excitement, cheerful Dark Blue: classic, traditional, confident Notable Blue Architecture

Blue Dome Church, Santorini, Greece The iconic Santorini blue painted hillside homes - During the years of 1967 - 1974 the military government established a political agenda of displaying uniformity across the Oia, Santorini, Greece greek landscape by stating the rule of repainting the houses blue and white like the Greek flag.

St Petersburg Mosque The interior of the mosque is made from more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles, made at Iznik (the ancient city of Nicaea in Greece) in more than fifty different tulip designs. In Islam, blue usually indicates femininity, life, purity, etc. Blue can also symbolize peace, calm, stability, security, loyalty, sky, water, cold, technology, and depression. Colours symbolism is one of the characteristic of Iran‘s culture, in such a way that each has a specific spiritual meaning. St Petersburg Mosque, Russia

Chefchaouen, Morocco Chefchaouen is known as “the blue pearl of Morocco.” It was founded in 1471 by the Jews and Moors fleeing Spain. There are many theories as to why the city is painted blue. One theory is that the Jews painted the city blue after fleeing from Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. Another is that the blue was to symbolise the sky and heaven, or it was to represent the deep ocean.

Chefchaouen, Morocco References

- Admin. (2019, May 10). PAINT COLOUR WHEEL: An Architect Explains. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from http://architectureideas.info/2010/01/paints-colour-wheel - Blue Aboriginal Art Colour Palettes. (2019, January 7). Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://japingkaaboriginalart.com/articles/blue-aboriginal-art-colour-palettes/ - Certapro Painters (2019, July 16). The Best Blue Hues of the Exterior of Your Home. Retrieved from https://certapro.com/painting/the-best-blue-hues-for-the-exterior-of-your-home/ - Chagall, M. (n.d.). . Retrieved March 3, 2020, from http://www.worqx.com/color/color_wheel.htm - Femme aux Bras Croisés. (2018, November 27). Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femme_aux_Bras_Crois%C3%A9s - Gottesman, S. (2016, November 29). A Brief History of Blue. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-a-brief-history-of-blue - Majidi, F (2015). Observation of Image and Color of Isfahan Mosques in Perspective of Islamic Art‘s Indices, 4(10), 113-121. - Morton, J. L. (n.d.). Basic Colour Theory. Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory - Pereira, M. (2018, June 9). The Role of Color in Architecture: Visual Effects and Psychological Stimuli. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://www.archdaily.com/895498/the-role-of-color-in-architecture-visual-effects-and-psychological-stimuli - Picasso's Blue Period. (2020, February 20). Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picasso's_Blue_PeriodV - Resene. (n.d.). Blue. Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://www.resene.co.nz/homeown/use_colr/colour-personality-blue.htm - Shovava. (2018, March 12). The History of the Color Blue: From Ancient Egypt to the Latest Scientific Discoveries. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://mymodernmet.com/shades-of-blue-color-history/ - Tate. (n.d.). Complementary colours – Art Term. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/c/complementary-colours - Tmd. (2017, August 21). The Perception of Color in Architecture. Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://medium.com/studiotmd/the-perception-of-color-in-architecture-cf360676776c - Venkani, T. (2018, October 26). What Can Students Learn from Pablo Picasso's Blue Period. Retrieved March 9, 2020, from https://medium.com/@tanishasvenkani/what-can-students-learn-from-pablo-picassos-blue-period-7061710170d2 - World, V. (2019, September 16). You won't believe why the Prominent Attractions of Greece are painted in blue and white! Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://www.veenaworld.com/blog/greece-painted-blue-white - Wulandari, A. (2019, May 13). 11 Must-Known Facts About The Blue Mosque of St. Petersburg. Retrieved March 3, 2020, from https://learnrussianlanguage.net/facts-about-the-blue-mosque-of-st-petersburg