Titolo: The Story of Colour: An Exploration of the Hidden Messages of the Spectrum
Editore: Michael O'Mara
Anno: 2017
Dalla quarta di copertina:
Consciously or not, we view the world through the filter of colour. The meanings we attach to these colours dictate the way we live our lives, how we think of ourselves and others, and even our language. Yet how we perceive and interpret certain colours changes over time, and from place to place. Why has yellow variously represented cowardice, sin, jealously and positivity in several cultures? Why are mourning and purity symbolized by black in some areas of the world, and by white in others? The reasoning can be obscure.
The Story of Colour unravels the cultural mysteries of colour and reveals why and how we have come to see the world through lenses passed down to us by art, science, politics, sport, fashion and, not least, historical prejudices, and how colour can indeed yell the story of humankind.
Recensione:
Have you ever wondered why the colour of mourning is black in the West, but white in the East? Or why red represents both desire and rage? Why does yellow stand for cowardice in the USA, but jealousy in France?
Why is green the colour of envy? Why is black 'evil'? Why is white pure? Why do we 'feel blue' or 'see red'? Why do colours have different meanings for different cultures?
When we look at or talk about a colour in a particular setting, we are as likely to see its cultural or symbolic meaning as the shade itself. Why?
Sometimes our grasp of a colour relates to the random way we define it. Light blue is called 'blue' but, over the last century or two, light red has become pink, whereas in Russia light blue and dark blue are separate colours. Does language play a part in our perception of colours?
In most cases, the origins of why we view a colour in a certain way goes back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Blue was not always a boy's colour; pink was not always a girl's. Indeed, less than one hundred years ago, in the West, it was the other way round.
This book offers a lively, anecdotal treatment of the cultural mysteries of colour, and focuses on the way we respond to colours, the significance we give them - and how these things change over time and from place to place. It tells the story of how we have come to view the world through lenses passed down to us by art, science, politics, fashion, sport and, not least, prejudice.
A social and cultural history of colour, beautifully designed and packaged with full-colour integrated photos.
Recensione:
A fascinating kaleidoscope of historical vignettes
HISTORY REVEALED