Showing posts with label colour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colour. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Amaranthine Serpetine

The photography of Mark Laita focuses on the variation of colour, pattern and shape of numerous animals by providing us with such a range of species for comparison. Bright, intricate and definitely beautiful shots of birds, snakes and sea creatures all with black backgrounds to provide contrast is what attracts me to Laita's work, though quite seemingly a simplistic idea I believe focusing on the creatures really brings out their identity. In 'Amaranthine' we are presented with a life after death where the vibrance of the bird species flourishes in their still state, no less than when they were alive which in a sense provides an idea of immortality prompting thename of the collection. The beauty of each branch from the tree of life can really be appreciated in photos such as these and in 'Sea' we see the diverse array of creatures dancing underneath their reflection in their waterworld. 'Serpentine' however is an illustration of the slender, fluid movement of the snake as well as the range of colour and pattern each species is born with. Definitely an inspiration to mythology as well as visually very applicable for a typeface. My interpretation of 'Created Equal' is obviously that we are indeed one species with each individual born the same and it is indeed down to the circumstances which we grow up around and our experiences that determine the differences. Though I also feel that try as we may to differentiate ourselves from one another, to a degree we are all the same with only our thought processes and life choices really making a little difference in the overall view. However on another note when presented together you see that the great, the ordinary and the despicable have little contrast if you look past their own created image and see them as human.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Sabine Pigalle

‘Protectors/Patron Saints’, 'Homo Phobiens', 'Ecce Homo' and 'Beauty Sheets' are brilliant examples of the guises captured by the French photographer Sabine Pigalle.









Thursday, January 19, 2012

ASD

My recent contributions to Illustration blog Art School Disco

 
  • Name: In the 7th Moon, The Chief Turned Into a Swimming Fish and Ate the Head of His Enemy By Magic
  • Theme: Epic/legendary songs 
  • Inspiration: Kasai Allstars (Congolese 25 piece super-band), metamorphosis


  • Name: Tree a Plant 
  • Theme: New Years Resolutions
  • Inspiration: Reversal of plant a tree resolution, green energy, lower carbon footprints


  •  Name: Happy New Year Katie
  • Theme: Secret Santa
  • Inspiration: Yvette Yang fashion typefaces, cats

 Images by KLV

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Stage Face - Colour Symbolism

Kathakali
Kathakali originates in Kerela, India. It is a combination theatrical dance, song and mythology and is for the most part secular in that there is no connection with temple worship, though there are Hindu ritual and rebirth themes present. In Kathakali, the make up is the character and this particularly complex make up follows some of the following symbolism:

Green: Good
Red: Anger
Black: What is repellent
Yellow: Wonder
Eye makeup: Oval/lotus shapes for good , block/square for evil

The make up makes the character which makes the mood or abstract aspect of life









 Peking Opera

Now to East Asia and Peking Opera which has distant religious roots but is generally another secular entertainment. Characters are once again heavily defined by the the face and the expressions determined by mask and make up, from feminine gentleness to brutality. Artistically stylized designs are vital in Peking Opera to provide the audience with instantly recognisable characters and historic figures. Once again we have integral colour symbolism:

Gold: Divinity, supernatural beings
Yellow: The imperial colour, reticence (whole face)
Black: Impetuousness or (strict) law abiding
Red: Courage, loyalty, faithfulness
White: Brutality (whole face), scoundrel/clown (patch across nose & eyes)
Blue: Cruelty
Green: Demon/devil