Decision on Colour

I previously stated that I want to use the casting technique to create my final braille dominoes as I feel this has relevance towards the concept due to the imitation effect it creates as we all become a cast of another as we try to be accepted. In saying this, I want every part of the piece to interlink and therefore this brings me on to the undecided matter of colour.

I have previously explored black and white as this is the only colours that dominoes are readily available in therefore maintaining an element of actuality towards the aesthetic nature of the dominoes within the artwork. In my previous experimentation towards black, I felt this was too similar to the normal aesthetics of a domino and would distract the viewer from the braille combination.

My glass experimentation also proved this as further experimentation was carried out in relation to the colours of black and white and of course transparency, but again I felt the white glass with the black frit was too similar to an ordinary domino, but quite liked the effect of the black domino with the black braille as it successfully merged the braille and the domino together aesthetically so that our eyes were not distracted by differing colours.

I feel that black is too harsh to use as a colour and doesn’t depict conformity in the way I am trying to contrive, and feel that returning to white could be an idea. I feel that white illustrates the lack of identity which happens as a result when our individuality is stripped from us when we choose to conform to fit in with others. I also feel that white has connotations of perfection as it is an unspoiled ‘pure’ colour, which depicts a society fuelled by instructions and obedience as we create a mould for society, one that is free of dissident entities that choose not to follow the norm.

          THE COLOUR WHITE

·         White is colour at its most complete and pure, the colour of perfection. The colour meaning of white is purity, innocence, wholeness and completion.

·         While there are very few negative connotations to white, particularly in western culture, too much white can be cold, isolating and empty. It implies a feeling of sterility, detachment and disinterest, providing little stimulation for the senses.

·         Too much white can cause feelings of isolation and emptiness; it can be too pristine and immaculate, making you feel as though you can't make a move for fear of upsetting it or creating a mess.

·         White is clean and clinical, giving an impression of efficiency and organization.

·         White suggests fairness and neutrality because of the balance and equality of all the colours contained within it.

 

          THE COLOUR BLACK

·         Black is the colour of the hidden, the secretive and the unknown, creating an air of mystery. It keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world.

·         Black is the absorption of all colour and the absence of light. Black hides, while white brings to light. What black covers, white uncovers. We all use black at various times to hide from the world around us in one way or another. Some of us use it to hide our weight; others among us use it to hide our feelings, our fears or our insecurities.

·         In colour psychology, black means power and control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others.

·         Black implies self-control and discipline, independence and a strong will, and giving an impression of authority and power.

·         Too much black can cause depression and mood swings and create a negative environment. Combined with white only, it can create an argumentative atmosphere.

http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com

 

 

White will be representational of the loss of identity that comes as a result of conformity, by changing ourselves to fit in with others. Relevant research into the colour white states that it also conveys isolation and emptiness which expresses the feelings felt by someone who feels the pressure to conform, similar to the Emperor’s situation; they fear being an outcast therefore adapts to suit the company they are in. White is also an unspoiled colour, depicting a society overcome by conformity as everyone shares the same opinions and values with no real individuality existing and since white provides little stimulation towards our senses, this counteracts with the use of braille. Intuition in the sense of conformity is overruled when an ambiguous situation arises, therefore avoiding what we might already know just to follow the majority.