Colors have always played a very important role in influencing human emotions and perceptions, pink represents a girl and boy is blue, red means danger and green safety. These are subtle yet very impactful assumptions that root back to ages. Have you ever wondered why they are labelled as such?
The intensity and brightness of each color vary and vary along with the sunlight, this enables us to view these colors differently from different distances and times of the day. Architects and artists around the world have dabbled with this aspect and created stunning masterpieces that transform experiences into surreal forms.
Let's take a look at some interesting examples that I have come across during my undergraduate studies :
1. OLAFUR ELIASSON at MOMA: Room For One Colour
In this exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, OLAFUR ELIASSON uses monochromatic bulbs that emit light at such a narrow frequency that they affect one's normal color perception. This experiment is conducted in spaces of varying heights through which the users are taken and they witness a sense of neutrality and dullness evoking a singular emotion across the hall.
Also called the "Yellow Light" experiment, this exhibit features empty spaces of yellow light which as soon as you enter projects onto everything and you will notice yourself turning black and white or monochrome. This is a metaphorical experiment that establishes that nature sees no color or race, we are all part of the same larger than life identity. It evokes unity and compassion by creating an eerie familiarity with everyone and everything around. You are immediately transported into a world that seems like Virtual Reality but in fact is otherwise.
Olafur Eliasson's experiment is also outlined in the popular Netflix series "Abstract" (S2E1). This concept has been imbibed into many museum features that use this at the very entrance to eliminate differences.
2. Piet Mondrian
Mondrian's early work was influenced by Impressionism and Symbolism, but he later moved towards abstraction, becoming a pioneer of the De Stijl movement. The movement, which was founded in the Netherlands in 1917, emphasized simplicity and abstraction in art and design.
Mondrian's paintings from this period are among his most famous, featuring black lines and rectangles filled with primary colors such as red, blue, and yellow, as well as white and gray. His compositions were carefully balanced and carefully considered, with each element contributing to the overall harmony of the work.
Mondrian's work has had a profound influence on modern art and design, and his style can be seen in everything from graphic design to architecture. His emphasis on simplicity and abstraction continues to be a major influence on contemporary art and design.
In more recent times, Mondrian elements have found their way into furniture design, themed in colors of the blue, yellow and red, several doors and windows have been designed that reflect this concept. Mondrian art brings a bright finish to Brutalist structures and adds a sense of completion. Corbusier seems to have derived his color palette from Mondrian
3. La Muralla Roja
La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall) is a residential complex located in the city of Calpe, Spain. It was designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill and built in 1973. The building is characterized by its striking geometric shapes, bright colors, and intricate labyrinthine design. The complex features a series of interconnected terraces, stairs, and walkways, creating a unique and visually stunning living environment. The name "Muralla Roja" comes from the building's distinctive red walls, which contrast with the blue skies and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
This was the primary inspiration to the popular Netflix series "Squid Games", which features brutal stairwells with bright and uniformly painted walls. Personally I feel this invokes a sense of confinement and claustrophobia given the empty and hollow paths with the same colors. You tend to feel trapped and fixed to position in a situation like this.
I would definitely agree that colors can make or break a space. We can learn to manipulate these colors to create a set of emotions that can enhance the spatial experience. If you have come across any unique projects that utilize color as a concept drop 'em in the comments!
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